Pope Benedict XVI: Thousands flock to Vatican City as lying in state begins
The body of Benedict XVI, who died on Saturday at the age of 95, is on display from Monday morning at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, where people from around the world will be able to pay their last respects to him before his funeral on Thursday.
The doors of the huge basilica will be open to the public from 09:00 until 19:00 on Monday.
Admission is free and does not require the reservation of tickets.
The body of Joseph Ratzinger has so far remained in the small private chapel of the monastery where he lived since his renunciation in 2013, located in the heart of the Vatican gardens.
On Sunday, the Vatican released the first photos of the body, lying on a catafalque, dressed in red - the colour of papal mourning - and wearing a white mitre adorned with a golden braid, a rosary in his hands. A crucifix, a Christmas tree and a nativity scene are visible in the background.
The transfer of his body to St. Peter's Basilica, the largest Catholic church in the world that can accommodate tens of thousands of worshippers, took place at dawn on Monday.
The basilica, a masterpiece of architecture combining Renaissance and Baroque styles, completed in 1626, is also one of the holiest places in Christianity, since it houses the tomb of Saint Peter, the first bishop of Rome.
On Sunday, Pope Francis once again paid homage to "beloved" Benedict XVI, "that faithful servant of the Gospel and of the Church".
Brilliant theologian and fervent guardian of dogma, Benedict XVI, who had resigned in 2013 because of his declining health, died peacefully on Saturday morning.
The funeral ceremony will be "solemn but sober" according to the Vatican. It will take place on Thursday from 09:30 in Saint Peter's Square, where the funeral of his predecessor John
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