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Jan 5, 2023 - World

In photos: Pope Francis leads the funeral for Benedict XVI

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Pope Francis attends the funeral mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, on January 5, 2023

Pope Francis attends the funeral mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023. Photo: Marco Ravagli/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square Thursday to mourn the loss of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as Pope Francis presided over the funeral proceedings.

The big picture: Benedict became the first pope in six centuries to resign the post atop the Catholic Church. His decision to step down in 2013 marked the start of an unprecedented period with a current and former pope living at the same time, the Associated Press reports.

Details: Francis opened the funeral proceedings with a prayer and ended it by blessing Benedict's casket, AP reports. Thousands of faithful, including clergy and heads of state, attended the service to commemorate Benedict.

Pope Francis presides over the funeral mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter's square.
Pope Francis presides over the funeral mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter's square on Jan. 5. Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Pope Francis presides over the funeral mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter's square on Jan. 5. Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Pope Francis presides over the funeral mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter's square on Jan. 5. Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Pope Francis attends the funeral mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, on January 5, 2023.
Pope Francis attends the funeral mass of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, on Jan. 5, 2023. Photo: Marco Ravagli/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (L) blesses the coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re (L) blesses the coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Photo: Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images.
olish President Andrzej Duda, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and more.
Polish President Andrzej Duda, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, former Queen Sofia of Spain, King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attend the funeral service of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

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