Faithful throng Vatican to pay last respects to Pope Benedict

Lines of people arriving to honour Benedict XVI's service to the Catholic church at St Peter's

Nuns arrive at dawn to view the body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. AP

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's legacy was honoured by tens of thousands at St Peter's Square on Tuesday as the late retired pontiff's body lay in state ahead of a Thursday funeral.

On the first day when viewing of the body was opened to the public, about 65,000 people paid their respects — roughly double what Italian security had predicted. A third day of viewing is set for Wednesday.

Benedict died on Saturday at age 95 after 10 years of retirement from the papacy and increasingly frail health. His body was lying in state in St Peter's Basilica, where thousands of faithful and curious came for the viewing.

Pope Francis will lead the funeral Mass at St Peter's Square for his predecessor, the first pontiff in 600 years to resign.

The basilica's doors opened before dawn on Tuesday and among those paying respects was six-year-old Miriam Groppelli, who is an altar server at her parish in Milan.

She and her father, Giuseppe Groppelli, 40, travelled by train in the early hours to offer their homage, along with the child's grandparents, and older brother and sisters.

“I told her his story and she was really excited to come to Rome to say goodbye,” the father said. “Benedict has been very important for the Church, his speeches were so clear and beautiful, he leaves a great legacy of knowledge.”

“We came here to express our gratitude to him but also to God who send him to us,” he said.

People observe a moment of silence as the body of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lies in state. EPA

Like other faithful, Groppelli offered his take on the unusual, nearly-decade-long arrangement that saw Benedict's retirement in the Vatican City monastery where he died on Saturday, and Francis, who was elected in 2013 by fellow cardinals to succeed him.

“I believe there’s no real war or competition within the church and between popes. The church lives and grows every day, also thanks to their words,” he said.

Benedict, who as German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had served for decades at the Vatican as the church's guardian of doctrinal orthodoxy, was known for his theological knowledge as well as for eloquent speeches, which — unlike like many of his predecessors — would write himself.

Francis will eulogise his predecessor at the funeral, which the Vatican has said would be marked by the simplicity that Benedict requested.

Archbishop Georg Ganswein pays his respect to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. AFP

Since Benedict was no longer head of Vatican City State, as opposed to funerals of previous popes, who died when they were reigning, only two countries — Italy and his native Germany — will send official delegations.

Political leaders and royalty, especially of predominantly Catholic countries, will attend in a private role.

With no need to elect a new pontiff following this former pope's death, cardinals who attend the funeral won't be staying on to meet in a secret conclave to pick the man who will help shape the Church's direction.

In a possible reflection of the absence of immediate intrigue that usually builds before a conclave, Francis largely conducted business as usual. On Tuesday, he was set to meet the cardinal who heads the Italian bishops conference, bid farewell to South Korea's ambassador to the Holy See in a courtesy visit and greet a delegation of an organisation promoting brotherhood.

Also on Francis' schedule was a meeting with the basilica's archpriest, who on Monday, after Benedict's body was transferred in a predawn procession from the monastery to the basilica, sprinkled holy water and incense by the bier.