Brazil prepares to bury legend Pelé in city he made famous

Brazilian sports legend Pelé is being buried Tuesday, with his nation of more than 200 million people and the world watching.

Newly inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva paid his respects at Vila Belmiro, the stadium where Pelé played for most of his career.

Pelé is being buried in the city where he grew up, became famous, and helped make into a global capital of his sport. Mass is being celebrated at the Vila Belmiro stadium before the casket is ushered through the streets of Santos to a nearby cemetery.

Brazil's newly inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was sworn in for a third term Sunday after a comeback victory, paid his respects at Vila Belmiro. Forty-five years after Pelé played his last game, it's hard to imagine his sport, or Brazil, without him.

Geovana Sarmento, 17, waited in the three-hour line to view his body as it lay in repose. She came with her father, who was wearing a Brazil shirt with Pelé's name.

"I am not a Santos fan, neither is my father. But this guy invented Brazil's national team. He made Santos stronger, he made it big, how could you not respect him? He is one of the greatest people ever, we needed to honour him," she said.

Caio Zalke, 35, an engineer, wore a Brazil shirt as he waited in line. "Pelé is the most important Brazilian of all time. He made the sport important for Brazil and he made Brazil important for the world," he said.

WATCH | Pelé mourned by family and fans: 

In the 1960s and 70s, Pelé was perhaps the world's most famous athlete. He met presidents and queens, and in Nigeria a civil war was put on hold to watch him play. Many Brazilians credit him with putting the country on the world stage for the first time.

Rows of shirts with Pelé's number 10 were