‘Santo subito!’: Catholics say emotional farewell to Benedict XVI at funeral Mass

Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square to say goodbye to the first pope to resign in almost 600 years.

Pope Francis praised Benedict XVI’s “wisdom, tenderness, and devotion” Thursday as he celebrated the funeral Mass of the renowned theologian who in 2013 became the first pope to resign in almost 600 years.

Tens of thousands of mourners gathered in St. Peter’s Square on the cool and misty morning of Jan. 5 to say farewell to the retired German pope who st…