Doors open for thousands to see Pope Benedict’s body lying in state at Vatican

Thousands of people are paying their respects to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as they file past his body lying in state at the Vatican.

The doors of St Peter’s Basilica were swung open so the public, some of whom had waited for hours in the dampness before dawn, could pay their respects to the late pontiff, who shocked the world in 2013 by retiring from the papacy, the first to do so in 600 years.

The frail 95-year-old died on Saturday morning in the Vatican monastery where he had lived since his retirement in 2013.

“I wanted to pay homage to Benedict because he had a key role in my life and my education. I arrived here at around 7.30am, after leaving Venice last night,” he said.

“When I was young I participated in World Youth Days,” he added, referring to the jamborees of young faithful held periodically and attended by pontiffs.

Mr Tuccio added that he had studied theology and “his pontificate accompanied me during my university years”.

“He was very important for me, for what I am, my way of thinking, my values. This is why I wanted to say goodbye today.”

Public viewing lasts for 10 hours on Monday in St Peter’s Basilica. Twelve hours of viewing are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning’s funeral, which will be led by Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square.

Security officials expect at least 25,000 people to pass by the body on the first day of viewing.