Pope's historic funeral

The funeral of Pope Benedict XVI has been held in St Peter’s Square, in the Vatican city. His death came on 31 December 2022, at the age of 95. His funeral was led by the current leader of the Roman Catholic church, Pope Francis.

Traditionally, the Catholic church would only appoint a new pope after the previous pope’s death. However, Pope Benedict XVI retired in 2013, and has since lived in a monastery within the Vatican. He resigned because he felt he didn't have 'the strength of mind or body' for the job. The church’s most senior priests then selected a new leader, Pope Francis. Benedict XVI was given the title Pope Emeritus.

Benedict XVI, who was born Joseph Ratzinger in 1927, became the first German pope in a millennium. He was appointed in 2005. He served as pope for just 8 years.

Royalty and heads of state flew in from across the globe to attend the funeral service. They were joined by 50,000 people who gathered in St Peter's Square for the occasion. Many of the 1.3 billion Catholics around the world watched or streamed a live broadcast of the service.

The service outside St Peter's Basilica was led by Pope Francis, who said the final prayers and blessing. Benedict XVI's coffin was moved to the crypt beneath the church, where he now rests alongside other former popes. Weniger anzeigen