Benedict’s body was dressed with a mitre, the peaked headgear of a bishop, and a red cloak.
“I wanted to pay homage to Benedict because he had a key role in my life and my education,” Mr Tuccio said.”When I was young I participated in World Youth Days,” he said, referring to the jamborees of young faithful held periodically and attended by pontiffs. Mr Tuccio added that he had studied theology, and “his pontificate accompanied me during my university years”.Among those coming to the basilica viewing was Cardinal Walter Kasper, like Benedict, a German theologian.
“This resignation wasn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength, a greatness because he saw that he was no longer up to the challenges of being pope,” he said. As Benedict desired, the funeral will marked by simplicity, the Vatican said when announcing the death on Saturday.
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