Farewell to Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Basilica

Mourners have until Wednesday to say goodbye to him there. The authorities expect around 35,000 visitors a day.

Two photos of Benedict XVI’s corpse laid out in state. the Press Office of the Holy See published around noon yesterday. The former pope is lying on pillows and dressed in a red papal robe. On his head he wears a miter, a traditional headgear for bishops. In his hands he holds a rosary.

Transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica

Today the deceased is transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica so that people can say goodbye to them.

“It’s a bitter and sad moment, but we’re here for a few more days and we’ll definitely go and say a prayer,” say these two tourists from northern Italy. “We’d like to go and say goodbye to him, but I’m sure it will be very crowded.”

Dariusz from Poland, who studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, can also imagine visiting the body. “In these days we will definitely think of him and pray for him. That was also his request, the last words, as Archbishop Gänswein said to us, were: pray for me.”

Visitors can say goodbye to Benedikt up to and including Wednesday evening. St. Peter’s Basilica is open until 7 p.m. on these days. According to the Roman authorities, around 35,000 visitors are expected every day, at normal times there are around 20,000.

No crowds expected

The municipal police yesterday began making arrangements to channel the flow of pilgrims. But unlike after the death of Pope John Paul II in April 2005, no mass rush of pilgrims is expected.

Pietro, who has been selling drinks and sandwiches in his kiosk directly behind the colonnade for decades, still remembers that time well. “Do you know this area? The line went to the end of Via die Corridori,” he says. That was very impressive. People would have queued up at night too. “They all wanted to see the body of John Paul II. Now I think things will be a bit more subdued. There won’t be such a snake. At least I think so.”

60,000 people expected for the funeral service

The funeral of Benedict XVI. is scheduled for Thursday. According to the wishes of the deceased, it should be solemn but simple, as the Vatican press office has announced. Pope Francis will preside over the Requiem.

He had already prayed for his predecessor in yesterday’s New Year’s Mass. “Today we entrust to Our Lady the beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to accompany him in his transition from this world to God!”

Around 60,000 people, including cardinals and heads of state, are expected to attend Benedict’s funeral service. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has also announced his presence.