Bronze Door Reopens, Signaling Pope Alive
‘The bronze door off St. Peter’s Square reopened early Saturday to allow the faithful to morning Mass - one sign among many that Pope John Paul II was still alive.
Over the centuries, the most traditional and telling signal that a pope has died has been the tolling of the Vatican’s bells, which prompts churches across Rome to join in. Other signs include the closing of the massive bronze portal beneath a portico off St. Peter’s and drawn shutters in the pontiff’s apartment.
The modern use of Bronze Door is spotty. In 1978, when two popes died in rapid succession, the tradition was ignored. Under normal circumstances, the Bronze Door is closed every night at around 8 p.m. and reopened in the morning.’
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