Larger-than-expected crowds congregated Monday at the Vatican for a public viewing of Pope Benedict XVI’s body, officials said.
About 40,000 visitors had arrived within the first six hours of the viewing at St. Peter’s Basilica, where Benedict’s body will lie in state for three days, police said.
Officials had estimated 25,000-30,000 people would attend Monday. Benedict’s body was adorned with a bishop headpiece and a red cloak, with his head resting atop two pillows.
Benedict, who led the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013, died Saturday at age 95. His resignation in 2013 made him the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years.
