Late Emeritus Benedict XVI who died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 95 has attracted honor and respect globally.
Pope Francis will be the celebrant of the Late Pope Benedict’s funeral on Thursday.
This is the first time a Pope will be buried by his successor.
The funeral will hold in St Peter’s Square before Pope Emeritus is laid to rest in the tombs beneath the Basilica.
The Vatican had earlier released pictures of the body on Sunday, dressed in red papal mourning robes and wearing a gold-trimmed miter.
The Late Pope’s body will be displayed for three days in an open casket at St Peter’s Basilica, where people will be allowed to pay their respects until 7 pm each evening.
Those who filed into the basilica on Monday made a sign of the cross or stopped to pray as they passed the former Pope’s body – which is flanked by two Swiss Guards. While others took pictures on their mobile phones.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Georgia Meloni were among those who paid their respects privately before the Church was opened to the public.
Though the details of the guest list have not been released, a lot of people are already making their way to the Vatican.
Read Also: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI: Full name, Place of Birth and Career
One man who had been inside, Mountain Butorac, said the experience was “beautiful” and “humbling”.
Testimonies of attendees
At the public condolence, people spoke about their testimonies and how they have been influenced by the late Pope.
Father Richard Kunst, who visited from the US, said when he passes the Pope’s body, he would pray for him – but also for a miracle to help a friend at home who is dying of cancer.
Also, Sister Marianna Patricevic, a nun from Croatia, talked of how grateful she was for all the late pope had done – saying there was not a subject she studied at university where they did not discuss his views.