Pope Francis on Thursday, joined pilgrims in St Peter's Square to preside over the funeral of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI who died on New Year's Eve at the age of 95.
Bells tolled and there was applause from the faithful who had gathered for the funeral as the cypress-wood coffin containing Pope Benedict XVI's body was brought out of the fog-shrouded St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican and placed on the steps of the dome, the BBC reports.
Clergy from around the world attended including cardinals dressed in red vestments, nuns, and monks in their dark robes.
The mood was solemn and subdued as Latin chants sung by the Sistine choir Chapel echoed across the square.
Pope Francis talked of the "wisdom, tenderness, and devotion that he bestowed upon us over the years" at the Mass, which was celebrated by cardinals, bishops, and priests.
"Benedict, the faithful friend of the Bridegroom, may your joy be complete as you hear his voice, now and forever," Pope Francis said, referring to Jesus.
According to police, some 50,000 mourners came to the funeral. Official delegations from Italy and former Pope Benedict's home country of Germany were also present. Other world leaders, including the king and queen of Belgium, attended in a private capacity.
The death of Benedict brings to an end a remarkable era of a Pope and a former Pope living side by side in the Vatican, a situation caused by Benedict's resignation in 2013.
Compared to funerals for a sitting Pope, his rites have been less elaborate.
Approximately 200,000 people visited the Vatican over the past few days to pay their respects to the former pontiff, who lay in state in front of St. Peter's Basilica's main altar.
The usual papal regalia like the silver staff was not displayed, signaling that he was no longer Pope when he died.
But in keeping with tradition, a lead tube containing an account of Benedict's papacy, as well as other items, such as Vatican coins minted during his reign, were placed in the coffin.
At the end of the service, the choir sang "May the angels lead you into paradise." Pope Francis placed his hand on the wooden coffin in a final prayer, before it was carried away, to be sealed and placed in another coffin of zinc and an outer one of wood.
Benedict was buried in the crypt under St Peter's Basilica, where Pope John Paul II was originally interred in 2005 before his body was moved up to a chapel, after his beatification.
While many prominent people have lauded Benedict since his passing and paid tribute to his theological studies, there has also been criticism, particularly from those who experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.
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