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

Pope passed away on New Year's Eve at his residence at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.

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.

by PURITY WANGUI Digital Sub-Editor
InPictures
05 January 2023 - 14:40
Catholic faithfuls leave the church after the mass at the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.
Catholic faithfuls leave the church after the mass at the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

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.
Holy Basilica catholic choir sings during the mass on Thursday, December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

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.
Chairman of all bishops Martin Kivuva speaks during the mass on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

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.
Catholic Bishops bow to the cross during the mass at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

He became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries in 2013 and has almost entirely withdrawn from public view since then with photographs of him emerging and showing him to be frail.

A catholic father offers sacrament to a faithful during the mass on December 5, 2023.
A catholic father offers sacrament to a faithful during the mass on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Foreign ambassadors and dignitaries follow proceedings at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Foreign ambassadors and dignitaries follow proceedings at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Catholic sisters follow the mass proceedings at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Catholic sisters follow the mass proceedings at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen delivers a message during the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.
Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen delivers a message during the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Bishops head back to their offices after the holy mass on December 5, 2023.
Bishops head back to their offices after the holy mass on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Kenya Military Principal Chaplain and Apostolic Administrator, Colonel Benjamin Maswili signs the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Kenya Military Principal Chaplain and Apostolic Administrator, Colonel Benjamin Maswili signs the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen signs the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Most Rev Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen signs the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Catholic faithfuls queue to write the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.
Catholic faithfuls queue to write the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Catholic sisters queue to write the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.
Catholic sisters queue to write the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica church on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Portrait of the departed pope Benedict XVI at the holy family Basilica during the mass.
Portrait of the departed pope Benedict XVI at the holy family Basilica during the mass.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Archbishop of the Nairobi Catholic Archdiocese Philip Anyolo signs the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Archbishop of the Nairobi Catholic Archdiocese Philip Anyolo signs the condolence book after the mass at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi Cardinal John Njue follows the mass proceedings at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi Cardinal John Njue follows the mass proceedings at Holy family Basilica on December 5, 2023.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A

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05 January 2023 - 14:40

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