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Added on the 05/01/2023 07:15:40 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
The coffin of ex-Pope Benedict XVI arrives in St. Peter’s Square ahead of his funeral. Almost a decade after he became the first pontiff in six centuries to resign, his successor Pope Francis will lead a requiem mass in the vast St. Peter's Square before his body is laid ro rest in the papal tombs beneath St Peter's Basilica. IMAGES
Thousands of people queue early in the morning around Vatican City to pay their respects to former pope Benedict XVI, whose body will lie in state for three days at St Peter's Basilica before his funeral. IMAGES
Ex-pope Benedict XVI's coffin is carried into St Peter's Basilica, following a funeral at the Vatican led by Pope Francis and attended by tens of thousands of mourners. The remains of the German Joseph Ratzinger, who was the first pontiff to retire since the Middle Ages, will be buried in the tomb under the Basilica which previously held the body of John Paul II. IMAGES
Pope Francis leads ex-pope Benedict XVI's funeral mass, as a choir in St Peter's Square sings prayers for the first pontiff to have resigned since the Middle Ages. Francis prays in front of Benedict's plain, cypress wood coffin, which lies at the head of the Vatican square packed with foreign dignitaries, cardinals, bishops, priests and believers from around the world. IMAGES
Preparations for the funeral of Benedict XVI are almost complete in St Peter's Square. Barriers and hundreds of chairs have been set up to welcome those who will come to attend the funeral of the Pope Emeritus on Thursday December 5. IMAGES
Supporters of Zambian President Lungu hold a rally in Lusaka during a tense presidential race, which has been marked by clashes between rival supporters. The presidential election will take place on Thursday. IMAGES.