Queues build at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican for lying in state of former pontiff before funeral on Thursday
Thousands of Catholics have begun queueing at the
Many of those who joined the queue early on Monday to see Benedict’s body, which has been dressed in red papal mourning robes, were priests and nuns who waited alongside Catholics devotees or those who were already visiting Rome and wanted to pay tribute. Born in Germany, Benedict led the Catholic church for eight years before resigning in 2013, citing a decline in his health. He chose to be called Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI after his abdication, instead of reverting to Joseph Ratzinger, and continued to live within the walls of the Vatican and wear a white cassock.
Meanwhile, the results of a German investigation published in January last year said Benedict had failed to act against four priests accused of child sexual abuse during his time as archbishop of Munich.
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