Pope praises Benedict’s ‘acute and gentle thought’ ahead of funeral

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis has praised Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s “acute and gentle thought” as he presided over a general audience in the Vatican while thousands paid tribute to the former pope on the final day of public viewing of his body in St Peter’s Basilica.

Francis was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd in the Paul VI auditorium and shouts of “Viva il papa” or “Long live the pope” as he arrived for his weekly appointment with the faithful.