Post by Tulameen on Apr 4, 2005 10:59:21 GMT -5
Pope John Paul II's body has made its final journey from a palatial hall in the Vatican to St Peter's Basilica, where he will be buried on Friday.
Thousands filled St Peter's Square for the procession to the church where his remains will lie in state.
The pontiff died on Saturday at the age of 84 after a 26-year reign, the third longest in history.
Rome is braced itself for up to two million extra visitors coming to view his body and pay their respects.
Swiss Guards flanked the procession from the Clementine Hall, which was followed by cardinals in their distinctive red and white attire and other clerics and dignitaries.
John Paul's body, carried by 10 pallbearers, was displayed in his papal robes and mitre clutching a set of Rosary beads.
The vast procession wound its way down ornate staircases before emerging into the sunlight of the crowded square to a tolling bell and a Latin chant, finally passing through the doors of the basilica.
Public viewing of the body is due to begin three hours after the body enters the basilica, which will close only between 0200 and 0500 each day for maintenance.
Church leaders, Vatican staff and prominent Italians have already viewed the Pope's body, with bishops and priests praying aloud as they knelt beside the Pope's remains.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Lying in state from Monday evening
Funeral on Friday at 1000 (0800 GMT)
Election of new Pope begins 15-20 days after death
St Peter's Square is dotted with impromptu memorials of flowers and candles, while handwritten messages are stuck to street lamps with wax.
"Goodbye, father, hero, friend," read one message.
"It scares me to see a dead body, but this is our Pope and I have to say goodbye," mourner Roberto Comelli told Reuters news agency, after spending all night on the square to be among the first to see the body.
Cardinals gather
The funeral, scheduled for 1000 (0800 GMT), is likely to see one of the biggest gatherings of world leaders in recent times.
THE POPE'S LIFE
1920 - Born near Krakow, Poland
1964 - Archbishop of Krakow
1978 - Elected first non-Italian Pope for 450 years
1981 - Assassination attempt
2002 - Final visit to homeland
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, tipped by some as his successor, will preside over the open-air ceremonies on the steps of the basilica.
John Paul II will be buried in the crypt beneath St Peter's Basilica immediately following the funeral and a Requiem Mass, the Vatican's spokesman announced.
The Pope had not stated any wishes about his last resting place, Joaquin Navarro-Valls said, and the Vatican would therefore "follow tradition" by burying him at the basilica.
Some had speculated the Polish-born Pope might have wanted to be interred in his beloved native country.
Mr Navarro-Valls said 65 cardinals had met in Rome for about two and a half hours to read the Pope's will and fix the funeral date.
The meeting was the first time the "princes of the Church" had met since his death and more are due to arrive, coming from across the world.
With Roman hotels and guest houses already full, makeshift shelters are being created for visitors at sports grounds.
Giant video screens may be installed to relay the ceremonies.
Cardinals will deal with the day-to-day running of the Church until they elect a new pope at a conclave later in the month.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Jane Little says preliminary meetings provide an opportunity to raise general concerns about the shape and future of the Church.
There are nearly 200 cardinals involved in the consultations, but only 117 of them are under the age of 80 and therefore entitled to vote for a new pope.
KEY AREAS WITHIN THE VATICAN
1: Papal Apartments: Where John Paul II died, 2 April 2005
2: Clementine Hall: Cardinals and other officials view Pope's body
3: St Peter's Basilica: Pope to lie in state and be buried here
4: Sistine Chapel: Cardinals to gather here to pick successor
5: St Peter's Square: Funeral mass to be held here on Friday
Story from BBC NEWS:
news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4409887.stm
Published: 2005/04/04 15:39:30 GMT
© BBC MMV
Thousands filled St Peter's Square for the procession to the church where his remains will lie in state.
The pontiff died on Saturday at the age of 84 after a 26-year reign, the third longest in history.
Rome is braced itself for up to two million extra visitors coming to view his body and pay their respects.
Swiss Guards flanked the procession from the Clementine Hall, which was followed by cardinals in their distinctive red and white attire and other clerics and dignitaries.
John Paul's body, carried by 10 pallbearers, was displayed in his papal robes and mitre clutching a set of Rosary beads.
The vast procession wound its way down ornate staircases before emerging into the sunlight of the crowded square to a tolling bell and a Latin chant, finally passing through the doors of the basilica.
Public viewing of the body is due to begin three hours after the body enters the basilica, which will close only between 0200 and 0500 each day for maintenance.
Church leaders, Vatican staff and prominent Italians have already viewed the Pope's body, with bishops and priests praying aloud as they knelt beside the Pope's remains.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Lying in state from Monday evening
Funeral on Friday at 1000 (0800 GMT)
Election of new Pope begins 15-20 days after death
St Peter's Square is dotted with impromptu memorials of flowers and candles, while handwritten messages are stuck to street lamps with wax.
"Goodbye, father, hero, friend," read one message.
"It scares me to see a dead body, but this is our Pope and I have to say goodbye," mourner Roberto Comelli told Reuters news agency, after spending all night on the square to be among the first to see the body.
Cardinals gather
The funeral, scheduled for 1000 (0800 GMT), is likely to see one of the biggest gatherings of world leaders in recent times.
THE POPE'S LIFE
1920 - Born near Krakow, Poland
1964 - Archbishop of Krakow
1978 - Elected first non-Italian Pope for 450 years
1981 - Assassination attempt
2002 - Final visit to homeland
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, tipped by some as his successor, will preside over the open-air ceremonies on the steps of the basilica.
John Paul II will be buried in the crypt beneath St Peter's Basilica immediately following the funeral and a Requiem Mass, the Vatican's spokesman announced.
The Pope had not stated any wishes about his last resting place, Joaquin Navarro-Valls said, and the Vatican would therefore "follow tradition" by burying him at the basilica.
Some had speculated the Polish-born Pope might have wanted to be interred in his beloved native country.
Mr Navarro-Valls said 65 cardinals had met in Rome for about two and a half hours to read the Pope's will and fix the funeral date.
The meeting was the first time the "princes of the Church" had met since his death and more are due to arrive, coming from across the world.
With Roman hotels and guest houses already full, makeshift shelters are being created for visitors at sports grounds.
Giant video screens may be installed to relay the ceremonies.
Cardinals will deal with the day-to-day running of the Church until they elect a new pope at a conclave later in the month.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Jane Little says preliminary meetings provide an opportunity to raise general concerns about the shape and future of the Church.
There are nearly 200 cardinals involved in the consultations, but only 117 of them are under the age of 80 and therefore entitled to vote for a new pope.
KEY AREAS WITHIN THE VATICAN
1: Papal Apartments: Where John Paul II died, 2 April 2005
2: Clementine Hall: Cardinals and other officials view Pope's body
3: St Peter's Basilica: Pope to lie in state and be buried here
4: Sistine Chapel: Cardinals to gather here to pick successor
5: St Peter's Square: Funeral mass to be held here on Friday
Story from BBC NEWS:
news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4409887.stm
Published: 2005/04/04 15:39:30 GMT
© BBC MMV