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Three of the last five popes have been made saints, but only about a third of all pontiffs have been canonised in the church’s 2000-year history.
While many leading figures have praised Benedict since his death, criticism has also been aired, including by victims of clergy sexual abuse, who have accused him of seeking to protect the Church at all costs. THREE COFFINS After the funeral ceremony, the coffin will be taken back inside the basilica and encased in zinc before being sealed in a second wooden casket. Because Benedict was no longer a head of state when he died, only two countries, Italy and his native Germany, sent official delegations on Thursday.
VATICAN CITY (REUTERS) — Pope Francis presided at the funeral of former Pope Benedict on Thursday, delivering a homily comparing his predecessor to Jesus before tens of thousands of mourners in St. Peter's Square. To the sound of tolling bells, 12 pallbearers had carried the wooden coffin...
To the sound of tolling bells, 12 pallbearers carried the wooden coffin of Pope Benedict out of St Peter's Basilica on Thursday and placed it before thousands of faithful gathered in the square for his funeral.
While many leading figures have praised Benedict since his death, criticism has also been aired, including by victims of clergy sexual abuse, who have accused him of seeking to protect the Church at all costs. THREE COFFINS After the funeral ceremony, the coffin will be taken back inside the basilica and encased in zinc before being sealed in a second wooden casket. Because Benedict was no longer a head of state when he died, only two countries, Italy and his native Germany, sent official delegations on Thursday.