More than 100,000 mourners have passed through St Peter’s Basilica since yesterday morning to pay respect to the late Pope Benedict XVI.
The crowds so far have exceeded expectations, and many prayed and shared their stories of memories of the Pope as they queued or reflected on his life.
More than 100,000 people have passed through St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI since Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/lJNBKJq5LZ
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) January 3, 2023
The former Pontiff died aged 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery at 9.34am on Saturday. Benedict was the first pope in 600 years to resign, is now lying in state in St Peter’s Basilica through January 4th.
Faces of the faithful – with a revered silence, pilgrims file into St. Peter's Basilica to see, honor, and pray before the body of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI before he is laid in his final resting place. pic.twitter.com/7YE7k6v2hB
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) January 2, 2023
Some well-known writers and commentators credited Benedict with deepening their faith or bringing them to the Catholic Church. .
Pope Benedict’s greatest legacy was to remind us that the modern “Age of Reason” had actually narrowed the scope of reason.
ICYMI, my tribute to the late pontiff in @nytopinion https://t.co/7DgmTmTlBN
— Sohrab Ahmari (@SohrabAhmari) January 1, 2023
While for some Irish commentators, more light-hearted memories contrasted with the harrowing experiences of a young Pope Benedict in Germany.
Enjoy this clip of Pope Benedict XVI enjoying some German beer in the Vatican gardens, listening to some German accordion music with his brother and friends. You're welcome. pic.twitter.com/FgNibwrOXZ
— Colm Flynn (@colmflynnire) January 2, 2023
I see that Pope Benedict had a cousin who was killed by the Nazis because he had Down's Syndrome.
— David Quinn (@DavQuinn) January 2, 2023
Loading ...