Benedict XVI will be interred in the Vatican crypt in the same location as Pope John Paul II, who was later beatified. This location is fewer than 100 feet from the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle and is on the north side of the central part of the Vatican crypt.
There is an image of the Virgin Mary and the child Jesus flanked by angels above the spot, and the sarcophagus of Queen Christina of Sweden can be found to the right.
Benedict XVI’s funeral Mass will take place on January 5th, after which his coffin will be carried to the crypt for interment. This information was confirmed by Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni on January 2nd, the first day that Benedict XVI’s body was laid in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Benedict XVI passed away at the age of 95 on December 31st.
