Farewell to Benedict XVI : Long lines in front of St. Peter’s Basilica

Hundreds of believers flocked to St. Peter’s Basilica to hear from Benedict XVI. to say goodbye Some waited all night to be admitted. Among the first mourners were Italy’s Prime Minister Meloni and President Mattarella.

Since the morning, believers in St. Peter’s Basilica can ask emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. saying goodbye. The former pontiff was publicly laid out there two days after his death. Shortly after 9 a.m., the doors of the great basilica in the Vatican opened.

The mortal remains were previously transferred by minibus from the Mater Ecclesiae monastery to St. Peter’s Basilica. Benedict is lying there in front of the large sanctuary. On the left and on the right is a member of the Swiss Guard, the historical bodyguard of the popes.

President Mattarella in the Basilica

In front of the church, several hundred people lined up around the whole of St. Peter’s Square to get in. Some had been waiting since night. Among the first mourners was Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. President Sergio Mattarella was in the basilica just before 9 a.m., Agnello Stoia, the parish priest of St. Peter’s Basilica, told the Ansa news agency. Benedict’s longtime companion and private secretary Georg Gänswein was also in the cathedral.

“I want to say goodbye to him,” said a believer from Germany, who waited in line for hours. “Since 1 a.m., I was the first,” he said. “I expect a certain calm and humility, just like he wanted,” said a man from Regensburg, where Bavarian Joseph Ratzinger was once a university professor

35,000 visitors expected daily

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.

The municipal police had already begun yesterday to take precautions 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.

Steinmeier wants to come to 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.

Already in yesterday’s New Year’s Mass, he had prayed for his predecessor: “Today we entrust our beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to the Holy Mother of God, so that she may accompany him on 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.

With information from Anna Giordano, ARD Studio Rome