DEVELOPING: Pope Benedict's funeral draws huge crowds to the Vatican.
The event, which will see a living pope lead the farewell to his predecessor, is unprecedented in modern times.
Because Benedict was no longer a head of state when he died, only two countries, Italy and his native Germany, will send official delegations to the funeral. But other world leaders and royals are expected to attend in a private capacity. Nuns gather prior to the funeral mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter's square in the Vatican, on January 5, 2023.Almost 200,000 people have paid their respects to the pope’s body as it laid in state at St. Peter’s Basilica from Monday until Wednesday evening.
At his request, Benedict will be buried in the underground Vatican grottoes in the niche where first Pope John XXIII and then John Paul II were interred before their remains were transferred to more prominent places in the basilica above. A written account of the pope's life will be buried with him in his coffin, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.
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