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ROME: A foggy St Peter's Square was packed well before the start of the funeral of former pope Benedict XVI on Thursday.

Pope Francis is presiding over his predecessor's funeral, according to Italian news agency (Ansa).

There were several banners in the square saying "Danke Benedikt" to the late pope emeritus.

There was also one calling for Benedict to be made "Santo Subito" (Saint At Once), a call echoing those made at the funeral of Saint John Paul II.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni were among the officials attending the funeral, it added.