Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI: funeral on 5 January 2023

On 5 January morning, tens of thousands mourners gathered at St Peter’s Square to attend the funeral mass of the late Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI, presided by Pope Francis.

Emeritus Pope Benedict, the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign his position, died aged 95 on December 31 at a monastery in Vatican City.

Ambassador Alexandra Valkenburg and colleagues of the EU Delegation participated in the funeral, paying their final respects to the late Benedict XVI, who was a strong supporter of the EU. He chose Benedict as his name also because St Benedict is a Patron Saint of Europe.