Pope Francis to lead funeral for Benedict XVI, a first in modern history

TL;DR

Benedict, the first pontiff to resign since the Middle Ages, had renounced the papal throne -- but lived within the Vatican and still wore white.The 95-year-old would have a "solemn but simple" funeral on Thursday, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni told journalists at a briefing following his death.The death of a Roman Catholic pope usually sets in motion time-honoured traditions, but would someone who had given up the papacy get papal treatment?Last ritesThe ex-pope's funeral will take place in St Peter's Square, the vast square in front of the basilica, on Thursday at 9:30am (0830 GMT).Afterwards, "the coffin of the Supreme Pontiff Emeritus will be taken to St Peter's Basilica, and then into the Vatican Grottoes for burial", the Vatican said."

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