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PHOTOS: Scenes From the Funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Archbishop Georg Gänswein (right), the longtime personal secretary for Benedict XVI, kneels to kiss the book of the Gospels atop the coffin of the pope emeritus on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square
Archbishop Georg Gänswein (right), the longtime personal secretary for Benedict XVI, kneels to kiss the book of the Gospels atop the coffin of the pope emeritus on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square (photo: Daniel Ibañez/CNA / EWTN)
Daniel Ibañez/CNA Vatican

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, one of the foremost theologians of the 20th century and the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to resign from the papacy, was laid to rest Thursday following a funeral Mass attended by tens of thousands of people.

Here are scenes from the funeral, held outside in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on a cold, foggy morning in Rome:

On a foggy morning in Rome, pilgrims make their way to St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023 for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
On a foggy morning in Rome, pilgrims make their way to St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023 for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Daniel Ibañez/CNA

The coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is carried into St. Peter's Square prior to his funeral Mass on Jan. 5, 2023. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
The coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is carried into St. Peter's Square prior to his funeral Mass on Jan. 5, 2023. Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI before his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI before his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023. Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Cardinals seated in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023 for the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Cardinals seated in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023 for the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Archbishop Georg Gänswein (right), the longtime personal secretary for Benedict XVI, kneels to kiss the book of the Gospels atop the coffin of the pope emeritus on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Archbishop Georg Gänswein (right), the longtime personal secretary for Benedict XVI, kneels to kiss the book of the Gospels atop the coffin of the pope emeritus on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Hong, attends the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. Credit: Diane Montagna
Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Hong, attends the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. Credit: Diane Montagna

Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Hong (second from left), attends the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. Alan Koppschall/EWTN
Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Hong (second from left), attends the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square. Alan Koppschall/EWTN
Pope Francis delivers the homily at the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Pope Francis delivers the homily at the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023. Daniel Ibañez/CNA

The coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is incensed during his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023, as Pope Francis looks on. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
The coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is incensed during his funeral Mass in St. Peter's Square on Jan. 5, 2023, as Pope Francis looks on. Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Pilgrims from Bavaria pose at St. Peter's Square where the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a native Bavarian, took place on Jan. 5, 2023. Courtney Mares/CNA
Pilgrims from Bavaria pose at St. Peter's Square where the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a native Bavarian, took place on Jan. 5, 2023. Courtney Mares/CNA

The funeral for Pope Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, at the Vatican. Vatican Media
The funeral for Pope Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, at the Vatican. Vatican Media
Archbishop Georg Ganswein (left), longtime personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI, kisses the coffin of friend and mentor at his funeral on Jan. 5, 2023, at the Vatican. Vatican Media
Archbishop Georg Ganswein (left), longtime personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI, kisses the coffin of friend and mentor at his funeral on Jan. 5, 2023, at the Vatican. Vatican Media
Cardinals attend the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023. Vatican Media
Cardinals attend the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023. Vatican Media
The coffin of Pope Benedict XVI is carried at his funeral Mass on Jan. 5, 2023, at the Vatican. Vatican Media
The coffin of Pope Benedict XVI is carried at his funeral Mass on Jan. 5, 2023, at the Vatican. Vatican Media

Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne attends a German Synodal Way assembly on March 9, 2023.

Four German Bishops Resist Push to Install Permanent ‘Synodal Council’

Given the Vatican’s repeated interventions against the German process, the bishops said they would instead look to the Synod of Bishops in Rome. Meanwhile, on Monday, German diocesan bishops approved the statutes for a synodal committee; and there are reports that the synodal committee will meet again in June.

AC Wimmer/CNA World
Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis

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