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Gallery: Nelson Mandela memorial service

The face of Nelson Mandela is shown on a large billboard in the stands at the memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in the Johannesburg, South Africa township of Soweto, Tuesday Dec. 10, 2013. Getty Images

Cold steady rain made for a late start and kept the crowd down Tuesday morning at a soccer stadium hosting a memorial service to honour Nelson Mandela.

The 95,000 seat stadium in Soweto brimmed with a dazzling mix of world leaders and joyous South Africans.

READ MORE: Canadian delegation in stadium for Mandela ceremony

Dignitaries include Prime Minister Stephen Harper Cold and four of his predecessors. The entire Canadian delegation, including NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, were eventually granted access to the stadium after many of them were told this morning they wouldn’t all get in.

U.S. President Barack Obama eulogized Mandela as the last great liberator of the 21st century.

READ MORE: Obama urges world to act on Nelson Mandela’s legacy of peace, reconciliation

Mandela died Thursday at the age of 95.

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Below we take a look at images from the memorial for Nelson Mandela:

Members of the public attend the Nelson Mandela memorial service at the FNB Stadium, on December 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (L) sits under an umbrella as Graca Machel (R) looks on during the official memorial service for Mandela at the FNB Stadium on Dec.10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Thousands of South Africans sing the national anthem for the Mandela memorial at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday December 10, 2013. (Photo credit: Mark Blanchard/Global News). Mark Blanchard/Global News
Members of the South African National Defence Force watch the official memorial service for Mandela on big screens in the city centre of Cape Town on Dec. 10, 2013. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Members of the public attend the Nelson Mandela memorial service at the FNB Stadium, on Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
U.S. President Barack Obama (R) talks with the widow of Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel, during the memorial service for late South African President at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on Dec. 10, 2013. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Members of the public attend the Nelson Mandela memorial service at the FNB Stadium, on Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
A woman prays during the Nelson Mandela memorial service at the FNB Stadium, on Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Singer Bono and South African actor Charlize Theron arrive for the official memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela at FNB Stadium Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
A photo taken on Dec. 10, 2013 shows messages left on a portrait of late South African President Nelson Mandela in Soweto. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Two young women attend the official memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela at FNB Stadium Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Over 60 heads of state have travelled to South Africa to attend a week of events commemorating the life of Nelson Mandela. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images
Members of the public attend the Nelson Mandela memorial service at the FNB Stadium, on Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo credit: Getty Images). Getty Images

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