More than 60,000 view Benedict XVI’s body at Vatican

People line up to pay their respect to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lying out in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023. Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Tens of thousands of people have filed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s body as it lies in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. Many of the first viewers on Monday were tourists, pilgrims or Romans who lined up near St. Peter’s Square before dawn. The Vatican said that by the time the first day’s viewing had ended Monday evening, some 65,000 people had filed past the retired pontiff’s body in the basilica. Twelve hours of viewing were scheduled for each of Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning’s funeral which will be led by Pope Francis in the square.


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