Funeral of Pope Benedict XVI under St. Peter's Basilica.

In April 2005, Joseph Ratzinger was elected the 265th pope and took the name Benedict XVI. During his tenure, he advocated a return to fundamental Christian values and strengthened the relationship between the Catholic Church and the arts.

In February 2013, Pope Benedict XVI unexpectedly announced his resignation due to "lack of mental and physical strength" due to his advanced age.

He subsequently lived in seclusion as Pope Emeritus at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae monastery.

He was not only the first pope from Germany in some 500 years, but also the first pope in more than six centuries to resign from office.

On Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, he passed away at the age of 95.

A deceased pope is honored with a nine-day period of mourning. Until Wednesday evening, visitors could say goodbye to Benedict XVI, who was laid out in state. On Thursday, 05 January 2023 Benedict XVI was buried in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica, where his tomb is now open to the public.

We assume that the funeral took place with the SCHILLING crane, which the Vatican bought last year.

The world bids farewell to Benedict XVI.

In memory of our German Pope, Joseph Ratzinger.

Image source: www.vaticannews.va
Image copyright: Vatican Media