Thunderous applause for Benedict XVI at St. Peter’s mass

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from the window of the Pope’s summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. AP FILE PHOTO

VATICAN CITY—Cardinals, clergy and common pilgrims erupted into thunderous applause at the mention of “pope emeritus” Benedict XVI on Tuesday at a special mass in St Peter’s Basilica ahead of a conclave to elect his successor following his surprise resignation.

The applause lasted nearly a minute after Cardinal Angelo Sodano, in his homily, evoked the “brilliant pontificate (of) the beloved and venerable Pontiff Benedict XVI”.