and croatia begins the new year with a new currency switching from the kuna to the euro. pope francis is addressing worshippers in the vatican this morning. here merged a matter of moments ago, it is poignant this year, following the death of his predecessor, pope benedict xvi. the pope is lying in state inside, will be lying in state from st peter s basilica on monday, tomorrow, to allow mourners to pay their respects. his funeral will be held on thursday. there was a mass held on thursday. there was a mass held earlier inside st peter s basilica on what is the 56 world day of peace. the pope appealing for peace and also asking holy mary to accompany the former pope. let s hear. translation: this is a mary s greatness, as the angel celebrate, the shepherds come and praise god for what is happening. mary doesn t speak, she does not entertain her gas, explaining everything that had happened to her, she doesn t steal the show, we like to steal the show. she puts the child in
welcome to the programme. cities around the world have been welcoming in 2023 with the latest new year celebrations taking place across the united states, canada, the caribbean and latin america. this was rio dejaneiro in brazil crowds gathered on its copacabana beach watching the spectacular fireworks display there. this year is in contrast to the previous two years, when celebrations were scaled back because of the pandemic. the bbc s louisa pilbeam looks back on how the world has been seeing in the new year. crowd: 5, 4, 3, 2,1. big ben bongs. times have changed and with covid restrictions lifted in most parts of the world, fireworks lit up skies with crowds able to watch below. in london, 100,000 people on the banks of the thames and a moment of royal reflection. the queen: i declare before you all, that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service. people came from around the globe, happy to watch the tradition in person again. ama
the shepherds come and praise god for what is happening. mary doesn t speak, she does not entertain her gas, explaining everything that had happened to her, she doesn t steal the show, we like to steal the show. she puts the child in the centre, she lovingly takes care of him, a poet once wrote that mary even knew how to be solemnly mute, because she did not want to lose sight of her god. this is typically maternal language, the tenderness of taking care. in fact, after having born they get. that is the pope s address of the worships below him in st peter s sqaure. significant address this new year s eve as.
for the gift of this faithful servant of the gospel and of the church. we saw recently, on the television, his images and all of the activities and life of pope benedict. let s cross to our religion editor aleem maqbool at the vatican now. we just listen to a little cleft of what pope francis had to say. what was the ambience like in st peter s sqaure, unto what was said today? just extraordinary scenes this morning as thousands of people poured into the square from every side, the police told us they estimate around 40,000 people were