Pope Francis pays tribute to his predecessor former Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican City: Pope Francis paid tribute to his predecessor former Pope Benedict XVI on  Thursday, at a funeral attended by tens of thousands of mourners at St. Peter’s Square. The remains of Pope Benedict XVI were interred in a tomb in the grottoes under the main floor of St. Peter's Basilica.

The event marked the first occasion in modern times that a pontiff had presided over the funeral of his predecessor - and the first ever of one who resigned. Benedict, the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign his position, rather than hold office for life, died aged 95 on December 31 2022 at a monastery in Vatican City.

About



200,000 mourners, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, paid their respects to the former pontiff earlier this week during his lying-in-state in St. Peter’s Basilica.

His death prompted tributes from political and religious leaders including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Dalai Lama.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid in his tribute described Benedict as a man who devoted his entire life to the Church and the teachings of the Lord Christ. He will be remembered for his rich service to society, Mr. Modi added.