Thousands of people gathered today in Rome,to pay tribute to the Former Head of the Catholic Church.

Thousands of people gathered today in Rome, to pay tribute to the Former Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI.

According to the Vatican police, at least 40.000 people were passing by the coffin during the past hours of the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI, into the Basilica at St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Benedict XVI, died on the last day of 2022, - New Year's Eve- at the age of 95, in the Monastero Mater Ecclesiæ, Vatican City.

Picture by Vatican

His condition deteriorated in the last week as Pope Francis, his successor, in an unexpected move at the end of a speech to the faithful, asked people to pray for Benedict's health.

Benedict’s body is displayed inside the St. Peter’s Basilica until 7pm every evening until Thursday, when the funeral ceremony takes place.

Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, in Germany. “Pope Ratzinger”, chosen the Head of the Catholic Church in 2005. After the death of Pope John II.

Benedict was the first Pope to resign in 600 years in 2013, surprising the Catholic community and the entire world, due to health conditions.

Although Pope Benedict XVI was alleged as not been as charismatic as his predecessor - Pope John Paul II -. His theological writings are respected among Catholics for vehemently defending, against atheists, the existence of Jesus Christ.

In his book “From Baptism in Jordan to Transfiguration,” he says that it could not be possible, after having a historical defeat, too many people to convert themselves and spread Catholicism, if nothing extraordinary such as the resurrection had not happened.

Amid protests by part of the English media and a crowd of 10.000 in central London, Pope Benedict was granted an official state visit in UK in 2010.