VATICAN: Thousands, including world leaders, lined up for the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI (95) led by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. It is the first time in 600 years that a sitting pontiff has presided over the last rites of a former Pope.

Benedict XVI's tomb is located near the original burial site of John Paul II in the crypt of St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican has officially invited representatives only from Italy and Germany to attend the funeral.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier from Germany, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Hungarian President Katalin Novák, Polish President Andre Duda, King Philip of Belgium, Queen Sofia of Spain and ambassadors of various countries are also participating in the funeral ceremony. The public viewing of the body of Benedict XVI continued till 11.30 pm IST yesterday at St. Peter's Basilica. The Italian Prime Minister's office announced that the national flag on the country's government buildings will be flown at half-mast during the funeral.

Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the dean of the College of Cardinals, will be the main celebrant at the altar. Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Cardinal Mar Baselius Cleemis Catholicos, Mar Andrews Thazhath, Mar Kuriakose Bharnikulangara and others are participating in the funeral service.