Mourners have streamed into St Peter's Square today for the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Thick fog coated the Vatican in the early morning, as thousands began to gather to pay their final respects to the German theologian. 9News MORE:
, hoping to pay final respects to the German theologian who made history by retiring and participate in a rare requiem Mass for a dead pope presided over by a living one.
Only Italy and Germany were invited to send official delegations, and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Italian President Sergio Mattarella confirmed their participation. The funeral rite calls for Benedict's coffin to be carried out from the basilica and placed before the altar as the faithful recite the rosary.
He said Benedict had given him a special dispensation to begin the process of becoming a priest, which was required because of a physical disability.
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