[PHOTOS] Faithfuls converge at Holy Basilica for pope's mass

Pope passed away on New Year's Eve

by The Star

Health05 January 2023 - 13:37

In Summary

His lay in rest began on Monday at the Vatican, where his body will be displayed for three days in an open casket at St Peter's Basilica, with people allowed to pay their respects until 7 pm each evening.
Pope Benedict XVI who has been ailing for more than a decade has passed away aged 95 years.

Catholic faithfuls leave the church after the mass at the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.

Faithfuls on Thursday attended a mass at Holy Family Basilica for pope Benedict XVI.

Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen, Archbishop of the Nairobi Catholic Archdiocese Philip Anyolo and Nairobi Cardinal John Njue were in attendance among other Catholic priests.

Holy Basilica catholic choir sings during the mass on Thursday, December 5, 2023.

After the mass, several officials signed the condolence book.

Pope passed away on New Year's Eve at his residence at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, at 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ill health.

Chairman of all bishops Martin Kivuva speaks during the mass on December 5, 2023.

His body was laid in rest on Monday at the Vatican, where it was displayed for three days in an open casket at St Peter's Basilica.

People were allowed to pay their respects until 7 pm each evening for three days.

Catholic Bishops bow to the cross during the mass at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.

He became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries in 2013 and has almost entirely withdrawn from public view since then with photographs of him emerging and showing him to be frail.