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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Angela Giuffrida in Rome

More than 135,000 Catholics flock to Vatican as Benedict XVI lies in state

Catholics queue in St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects as the body of the former pope, Benedict XVIl, lies in state.
Catholics queue in St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday to pay their respects as the body of the former pope, Benedict XVIl, lies in state. Photograph: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images

More than 135,000 people have already flocked to the Vatican, a day before the funeral on Thursday of the former pope Benedict XVI – an unprecedented ceremony in the modern history of the Catholic church given he will be buried by the incumbent, Pope Francis.

Benedict died on Saturday, aged 95, almost a decade after becoming the first pope in 600 years to resign.

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