The Vatican said Benedict's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica from Monday. The former pope died on Saturday at the age of 95.
In the last few years Pope Francis celebrated Benedict's decision to resign and has suggested he would consider such a move as an option for himself.Suffering knee pain, the 86-year-old pope arrived at the basilica in a wheelchair before the Mass on the first day of the new year, an occasion the Catholic church dedicates to the theme of peace.
The pope, who has repeatedly spoken out against the war in Ukraine, mentioned those who are victims of war, passing the year-end holidays in darkness, cold and fear.Related Topics
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