Pope Francis leads 'historic' funeral for Benedict XVI

Pope Francis leads the funeral of his predecessor Benedict XVI in front of tens of thousands of mourners in St.

Peter's Square, Vatican City.

An event unprecedented in modern times.

Red-clad cardinals, dignitaries and thousands of priests and nuns from around the world gather to say goodbye to the German theologian, who stunned the Catholic church in 2013 by becoming the first pontiff in six centuries to resign.

In Germany, his home country, church bells ring in a last tribute.

"May your joy be complete as you hear His voice, now and forever," says Pope Francis.