65,000 View Benedict XVI's Body Lying in State at Vatican

65,000 View Benedict XVI's Body Lying in State at Vatican https://ift.tt/SsxjfTR Tens of thousands of people have filed by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s body as it lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica. Many of the first viewers on Monday were tourists, pilgrims or Romans who lined up near St. Peter's Square before dawn. The Vatican said that by the time the first day's viewing had ended Monday evening, some 65,000 people had filed past the retired pontiff's body in the basilica. Twelve hours of viewing were scheduled for each of Tuesday and Wednesday before Thursday morning’s funeral which will be led by Pope Francis in the square.