Tens of thousands were expected to attend Pope Benedict XVI’s last prayers, as cardinals began arriving in Rome to elect his successor and the Vatican battled reports of high intrigue.
The 85-year-old pope will read out his traditional Angelus prayer and messages to Catholic faithful in different languages from the window of his apartment high above the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
City authorities have announced tight security in and around the Vatican, with more than 100 police officers and snipers on surrounding buildings, as well as two field hospitals and hundreds of volunteers to help pilgrims.
The security is being seen as preparation for the pope’s final audience in St Peter’s on Wednesday. City officials are expecting more than 200,000 people on Wednesday. Last week’s announcement shocked the world and brings Benedict’s pontificate to an abrupt end after eight years dominated by the scandal of abuses by priests and his efforts to counter rising secularism in the West.
The 85-year-old pope will read out his traditional Angelus prayer and messages to Catholic faithful in different languages from the window of his apartment high above the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
City authorities have announced tight security in and around the Vatican, with more than 100 police officers and snipers on surrounding buildings, as well as two field hospitals and hundreds of volunteers to help pilgrims.
The security is being seen as preparation for the pope’s final audience in St Peter’s on Wednesday. City officials are expecting more than 200,000 people on Wednesday. Last week’s announcement shocked the world and brings Benedict’s pontificate to an abrupt end after eight years dominated by the scandal of abuses by priests and his efforts to counter rising secularism in the West.