A crowd of about 50,000 paid respects to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at his funeral Thursday.

President Joe Biden had expressed public condolences soon after Benedict died.

“Jill and I join Catholics and others around the world in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,” Biden, the only Catholic besides John F. Kennedy to be elected U.S. president, said in a tweet.

“He'll be remembered as a renowned theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his principles and faith,” Biden continued in his tweet. “May he continue to be an inspiration to all.”

Benedict died Dec. 31. He was 95. He became the head of the Catholic Church in 2005, after John Paul II’s death, but health concerns prompted him to resign in 2013. Popes usually serve until they die, and his was the first resignation since Gregory XII quit in 1415, the BBC said.

The public had the chance to view Benedict this week as his body was lying in state in St Peter's Basilica. Vatican officials had said they expected 25,000-30,000 visitors at Monday’s viewing, but more than 65,000 people stopped by, according to an Associated Press report.

Pope Francis led Thursday’s funeral, which started at 9:30 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square, CNN reported.