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Pope Francis presided at the funeral on Jan. 5 in St. Peter's Square for his predecessor former Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died at the age of 95. (Video: Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI funeral a mix of ancient rituals and new precedents

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VATICAN CITY — The Catholic Church conducted a historic funeral Thursday for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, using a mix of ancient rituals and new precedents for a figure who transformed the papacy with his decision 10 years ago to retire.  
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Francis’s homily drew some backlash from conservatives, who felt that the pope did not adequately capture Benedict’s legacy. It is likely to deepen the debate about how the two figures got along.
The Vatican estimates roughly 50,000 people attended the ceremony, about one-sixth of the crowd from the previous papal funeral, in 2005.
Benedict, who died Saturday at age 95, was buried after the funeral in the grottoes of St. Peter’s Basilica, in a spot that previously held the remains of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican confirmed.
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Francis’s homily drew some backlash from conservatives, who felt that the pope did not adequately capture Benedict’s legacy. It is likely to deepen the debate about how the two figures got along.
The Vatican estimates roughly 50,000 people attended the ceremony, about one-sixth of the crowd from the previous papal funeral, in 2005.
Benedict, who died Saturday at age 95, was buried after the funeral in the grottoes of St. Peter’s Basilica, in a spot that previously held the remains of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican confirmed.
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