The public can now visit the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI in the grottoes under St. Peter's Basilica.
The pontiff was buried on Jan. 5 immediately following a funeral in St. Peter’s Square. Benedict’s tomb lies in the grottoes under the basilica’s main floor.Benedict had lived since 2013 as pope emeritus, following his retirement from the papacy, the first pontiff to do so in 600 years. He died on Dec. 31 at the age of 95, in the Vatican monastery where he spent his last years.
The remains were placed in the former tomb of Benedict’s predecessor, St. John Paul II. John Paul’s remains were moved up to a chapel on the main floor of the basilica following his 2011 beatification. The name of Benedict, the Catholic church’s 265th pontiff, was engraved on a white marble slab, the Vatican said.
On Sunday morning, Francis was leading a ceremony for the baptism of 13 babies in the Sistine Chapel. The chapel, frescoed by Michelangelo, is the traditional setting for the baptisms, an event which closes out the Vatican’s year-end ceremonies.
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Public now can see Benedict's tomb at St. Peter's BasilicaThe Vatican is allowing the public to visit the new tomb of Pope Benedict XVI under St. Peter's Basilica.
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Public now can see Benedict's tomb at St. Peter's BasilicaVATICAN CITY (AP) — The public can now visit the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI in the grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica. The pontiff was buried on Jan. 5 immediately following a funeral in St. Peter’s Square.
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Public now can see Benedict's tomb at St. Peter's BasilicaThe Vatican is allowing the public to visit the new tomb of Pope Benedict XVI under St. Peter's Basilica.
Read more »
Public can visit Pope Benedict XVI's tombThe public can now visit the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI in the grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica.
Read more »
Public can visit Pope Benedict XVI's tombThe public can now visit the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI in the grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica.
Read more »