Remains of Benedict XVI buried in tomb in Vatican grottoes

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI inside the St Peter's basilica during the funeral mass at St Peter's square in the Vatican. Credit: AFP Photo

The Vatican says the remains of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI have been interred in a tomb in the grottoes under the main floor of St Peter's Basilica.

Benedict's body was put into a space left after the Vatican moved the remains of his predecessor, John Paul II, to the main floor to reflect John Paul's sainthood.

The brief announcement of the burial by the Vatican's press office came about 90 minutes after the conclusion of Benedict's funeral in St Peter's Square on Thursday.

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Pope Francis presided over the service, which was attended by some 50,000 mourners.

Photos released by the Vatican showed the zinc coffin which was to contain the cypress one displayed to the faithful during the funeral. Then the zinc coffin was placed into another wooden one before being put into the tomb.

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