Former Pope Benedict XVI's Condolence Period Ends on the 4th... Then the Lying-in-State Ceremony

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The public viewing of the late Pope Benedict XVI's body, who passed away on the 31st of last month (local time), will conclude on the 4th.

The Vatican will finish the public viewing of the late Pope Benedict XVI's body, which has been ongoing since 7 a.m. at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, by 7 p.m. on this day and proceed with the entombment ceremony.

The Vatican placed the body of the late Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica on the 2nd, two days after his passing on the 31st of last month, and began receiving public condolences.

On the first day of public viewing, the 2nd, about 65,000 people paid their respects up close to the body of Pope Benedict XVI, and on the second day, the 3rd, about 70,000 people did the same.

Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesperson, announced that the entombment ceremony will take place after the public viewing ends at 7 p.m. on this day.

Once the entombment procedure is completed, the coffin will be sealed amid the chanting of Psalm 41.

The funeral Mass, presided over by Pope Francis, will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the 5th at St. Peter's Square. After the Mass, the coffin of Benedict XVI will be transported to and interred in the underground crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, where 91 previous popes are laid to rest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.