At the general audience on Wednesday – the first in the new year – Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor Benedict XVI.

recognized as a "great teacher of faith instruction".

"His keen and sensitive thinking was not selfish but ecclesial because he always wanted to lead us to the encounter with Jesus," Francis said in the Vatican.

Matthias Rub

Political correspondent for Italy, the Vatican, Albania and Malta based in Rome.

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The crucified and risen Jesus was always the goal “to which Pope Benedict led us by taking us by the hand.

May he help us to rediscover in Christ the joy of faith and the hope of life."

"He who believes is never alone"

Francis added to the greeting to the German pilgrims in the audience hall: “With the words of our dear departed I would like to call out to you: 'He who believes is never alone!'

Those who have God for their father have many brothers and sisters.

In these days we are experiencing in a special way how comprehensive this fellowship of faith is and that it does not end even with death.”

Meanwhile, Wednesday was the third and final day for pilgrims and visitors to pay their respects to the late Pope Emeritus.

By Tuesday evening, the Vatican City Gendarmerie counted around 135,000 people who filed past the body of Benedict, which was laid out in front of the main altar in St. Peter's Basilica on Monday morning.

That was significantly more than the total number of 100,000 people initially estimated for the entire three-day laying out.

Up to 200,000 people were expected by the time St. Peter’s Basilica was closed at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening.

At least 70,000 mourners are expected to attend the requiem on Thursday morning.

As the Vatican press office announced, the liturgy and ceremony for the burial of Benedict XVI.

essentially those for the funeral of an incumbent pope.

Only in a few elements will there be deviations from past papal funerals.

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates the Requiem

The Requiem for Benedict XVI.

is led by Pope Francis, but not celebrated by the incumbent Pope himself, because Francis, due to his chronic knee problems, can only walk a few meters with a walker and can only stand for a short time.

The celebrant of the Requiem is instead the Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals since 2020.

Official delegations from Germany and Italy, as well as ecumenical delegations, will attend the funeral service in St. Peter's Square.

Many other heads of state and personalities from politics and society have announced their attendance.

More than 400 bishops and 4000 priests will concelebrate, a good 600 journalists from all over the world have been accredited for the funeral service.

At the end of the requiem mass, Benedict XVI's remains are buried.

transferred to the crypt under St. Peter's Basilica.

While the requiem can be followed by the mourners on St. Peter's Square and on television and radio all over the world, the burial in the crypt is closed to the public.