Former Pope Benedict will be laid out in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican from Monday

Former Pope Benedict will be laid out in St. Peter’s Basilica from Monday after his death at the age of 95, the Vatican said.

The Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church, said the body of the pope emeritus will remain at the historic site for “the faithful to say their farewells.”

A spokesman said the funeral will take place in St. Peter’s Square from 9.30am local time on January 5 and is expected to be led by the current Pope Francis.

It is the first time in the Church’s 2,000-year history that a sitting pope has buried his predecessor. The institution is expected to release more details shortly.

Former Pope Benedict, who died Saturday at the age of 95, was the first pope to resign in 600 years

Ex-Pope Benedict, who resigned nine years ago as the first man in 600 years, died on Saturday in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican.

Pope Francis’ presidency at the funeral would represent a break with tradition, as that responsibility usually rests with the dean of the College of Cardinals.

However, when he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict presided over the funeral Mass for his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

It remains unclear how large next week’s funeral will be, how long the fair will last and which world leaders will be attending.

It comes after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a statement on Twitter commemorating the late Pope’s visit to Britain in 2010.

“He was a great theologian… [The] The visit was a historic moment for Catholics and non-Catholics across our country.

“My thoughts today are with the Catholic people of Britain and around the world.”

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. at Munich Airport before his departure for Rome in 2020

Meanwhile, Cardinal Nichols said: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Benedict. He will be remembered as one of the great theologians of the 20th century.

“I remember with particular fondness the Pope’s remarkable visit to these countries in 2010. We saw his courtesy, his gentleness, his perspicacity and the openness of his welcome to everyone he met.”

“He was a gentleman through and through, a scholar through and through, a pastor through and through, a man of God through and through – close to the Lord and always His humble servant.”

“Pope Benedict is very much in my heart and in my prayers. I thank God for his ministry and guidance.’

Chancellor Olaf Scholz paid tribute to former Pope Benedict XVI. as a “special head of the church” who helped shape the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis (R) welcomes Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. (L) before the conduction of Holy Mass for the Elderly in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Vatican, September 28, 2014

“As a ‘German’ pope, Benedict XVI. for many, not only in this country, a special church leader,” wrote Scholz on Twitter.

“The world has lost a defining figure in the Catholic Church, a quarrelsome personality and a shrewd theologian.”

The Vatican announced that his body would be laid out in St. Peter’s Basilica from Monday.

There are carefully worked out rituals after the death of an incumbent pope, but none that are publicly known for a former pope, as there is no precedent for such a situation.

Benedict is best remembered for shocking the world on February 11, 2013, when he announced his resignation in Latin, telling the cardinals he was too old and frail to head an institution with more than 1.3 billion members conduct.

Succession to his charismatic predecessor, Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005, has always been difficult, and Benedict admitted difficulties in an emotional farewell.

“There were moments of joy and light, but also moments that weren’t easy… There were moments… when the sea was rough and the wind was blowing against us and it seemed like the Lord was sleeping,” he said Benedict general audience, a gathering of more than 150,000 people.

Following the election of Pope Francis on March 13, Benedict moved to a converted convent on the Vatican grounds to spend his final years in prayer, reading, playing the piano and entertaining friends.

Former Pope Benedict, 95, looks on as he receives the winners of the “Premio Ratzinger” at the Vatican on December 1, 2022

For nearly 25 years, Benedict, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was the powerful head of the Vatican Magisterium, then known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).

He was elected pope on April 19, 2005, succeeding the widely popular Pope John Paul II, who reigned for 27 years. Cardinals chose him from their midst in search of continuity and what has been called “a sure pair of hands”.

Benedict, the first German pope in 1,000 years, himself acknowledged he was a weak administrator, saying he experienced a “lack of determination in governing and Making Decisions”.

Child abuse scandals dogged most of his papacy, but he is credited with initiating the process of disciplining or firing robber priests after a more lax stance under his predecessor.

After his resignation, conservatives in the church viewed the former pope as their standard-bearer, and some ultra-traditionalists even refused to recognize Francis as the legitimate pope.

They have criticized Francis for his friendlier approach to members of the LGBTQ+ community and to Catholics who divorced and remarried outside the church, saying both undermine traditional values.