Adapted from the Vatican News Facebook Page

Until the Thursday, January 5, 2023 Funeral, the body of +Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lies in state in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, as the faithful pay final respects, offering prayers for the repose of his soul. In this Vatican News photo posted on January 2, 2023, His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, OFM Conv. [a friar of our Order, appointed Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City and President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the office in charge of the basilica’s upkeep, on February 20, 2021], welcomed and blessed the body of the +Pope Emeritus. In the center of the second row behind them, standing among many more Franciscan Friars Conventual who like him also serve as Confessors at the Vatican, is Our Lady of the Angels Province friar ~ Fr. John Voytek, OFM Conv.

Conventual Franciscans were included among the small congregation gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica on January 2nd. A photo taken that day by Friar John is below.