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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Tens of thousands of people streamed through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their last respects to the late Pope Benedict XVI. While Rome authorities had predicted between 30,000 and 35,000 visitors a day, some 65,000 people filed past the pope's body Jan. 2 -- the first of three days dedicated to public viewing. Another 70,000 people paid their respects Jan. 3, the Vatican said, and 60,000 people on the final day, Jan. 4. A damp chill hung in the air at 9 in the morning w

Number of people filing past pope's body in St. Peter’s Basilica much higher than first expected by Rome authorities

Tens of thousands of people streamed through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their last respects to the late Pope Benedict XVI.

A quiet hush covered the vast expanse of St. Peter’s Square even though it was filled with thousands of people winding their way around the colonnade into St. Peter’s Basilica to pay last respects to the late Pope Benedict XVI.

Catholics began paying their respects to the former pope at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican