Vatican: Pope Benedict XVI's funeral to take place on January 5

The head of the press service of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni, said that the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI, who died at the age of 96, will be held on January 5.

Report informs via gazeta.ru that, according to Bruni, the ceremony will begin at 9:30 am in St. Peter's Square, and the service will be led by Pope Francis.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at 9:34 a.m. at the monastery of Mater Ecclesiae in the Vatican.