Authorities of the “second homeland” of Benedict XVI pray before his body

The highest civil authorities in Italy came this January 2 to pray before the body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican.

In his spiritual testament, Benedict XVI wrote that Italy was “his second homeland”.

The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, approached the Vatican Basilica early this morning to pray before the mortal remains of Benedict XVI.

The President #mattarella render omaggio to the pope emeritus #BenedettoXVI nella Basilica di #SanPietro pic.twitter.com/s3IHouCMGc

— Quirinale (@Quirinale) January 2, 2023

In a brief message sent to Pope Francis, President Mattarella expressed “with affection” his most “heartfelt condolences from Italy on the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.”

#mattarella: Alla grazes constantly #PapaFrancescocui rivolgo, with great affetto, a riconocente salute, esprimendogli il sentito cordoglio dell’Italia for the death of Pope Emeritus Benedetto XVI pic.twitter.com/pi8zlF9jJh

— Quirinale (@Quirinale) December 31, 2022

Likewise, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, visited Saint Peter’s Basilica, prayed before the body of the Pope Emeritus and expressed her condolences to the personal secretary of Benedict XVI, Monsignor Georg Gänswein.

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In a recent message, Giorgia Meloni pointed out that Benedict XVI “was a giant of faith and reason.”

“He put his life at the service of the universal Church and spoke, and will continue to speak, to the hearts and minds of men with the spiritual, cultural and intellectual depth of his Magisterium,” said the Italian authority.

Benedetto XVI is a giant of the faith and of the religion. He has committed his life to the service of the Universal Church and has spoken, and will continue to speak, to the heart and to the mind of the uomini with the spiritual, cultural and intellectual depth of his Magistero. pic.twitter.com/NBPxMyMykT

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) December 31, 2022

Starting on the morning of this Monday, January 2, the body of Benedict XVI will remain in St. Peter’s Basilica so that the faithful can have “one last meeting with the Pope Emeritus, to greet him and say goodbye,” the director reported. of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni.

The transfer of the body It took place at 7:00 am and there was a moment of prayer that was presided over by the Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti.

Then, the final preparations were made for the arrival of the faithful who will visit the mortal remains of the Pope Emeritus.

The funeral of Benedict XVI will be presided over by Pope Francis on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 9:30 am in Saint Peter’s Square.