Ala participates in the funeral of former Pope Benedict XVI

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva Husam Al-Din Ala on Thursday represented Syria in the funeral of former Pope Benedict XVI. The late Pope was burried in St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

A number of presidents, heads of governments as well as Ambassadors to the Holy See took part in the funeral.

A mass, presided over by Pope Francis, was held at St. Peter Square, during which the Pope talked about his predecessor’s religious and humanitarian legacy.

Pope Benedict XVI, who was the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign his position, rather than hold office for life, died last Saturday at the age of aged 95.

Hamda Mustafa