‘Pope John Paul II’s last words, mumbled weakly in Polish, were: “Let me go to the house of the Father,” according to a Vatican account of the pontiff’s final days.
The Vatican publishing house has produced a 220-page volume, with entries in chronological order starting Jan. 31, the day the Holy See’s press office announced that […]
‘Cardinals destroyed Pope John Paul II’s ring and lead seal Saturday to formally end his reign, while the Vatican expressed confidence that jamming devices and other unprecedented precautions would keep the name of the new pope secret until it is announced to the world from a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
The official nine-day mourning period […]
‘Millions of people in the Philippines, home to Asia’s largest Catholic Church, marked Pope John Paul II’s funeral.
At home and at work Filipinos watched the television as the Pontiff was laid to rest.
Workers, officials, business leaders and students, carrying banners and photographs of the Pope, slowly made their way in a candle-lit procession.
They gathered in […]
The following is an English translation of the official Vatican Italian translation of the text of Pope John Paul II’s last will and testament, which was originally written in Polish with successive additions.
The document begins with a Latin phrase that reads, “I am completely in Your hands.” It follows with a citation from the New […]
‘They have come to pay their final respects, so is taking a mobile phone picture of the Pope’s body disrespectful or just a sign of how times changed during his 26-year papacy?
To some it is distasteful, inappropriate and plain disrespectful. To others it is recording an historic moment to share with those who cannot be […]
‘Tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of people filled St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets, waiting more or less patiently to pay homage to Pope John Paul II.
The solemn, prayerful pomp of the ceremonial transfer of the pope’s body from the Apostolic Palace to St. Peter’s Basilica April 4 was replaced […]
‘Departing from tradition, Pope John Paul II was not embalmed, only “prepared” for viewing by hundreds of thousands of mourners, the Vatican said Tuesday.
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls did not elaborate on the procedure, but an embalmer in Rome said it appeared John Paul’s remains were only touched up with cosmetics.
Massimo Signoracci, whose family embalmed three […]
‘Major news media around the world devoted 10 times as many stories to Pope John Paul II’s death as they did to the re-election of President Bush, according to an analysis released Monday.
The Global Language Monitor, which scans the Internet for the use of specific words or phrases using Roman characters, found 35,000 new stories […]
‘POPE John Paul II did not leave a will, the Vatican has announced.
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the announcement after the first general congregation of cardinals since the Pope’s death on Saturday.
A last testament, which would have been opened by the cardinals, may have contained instructions for the pope’s burial or spiritual reflections.’
Read more at […]
‘Pope John Paul II’s body was carried solemnly on a crimson platform to St. Peter’s Basilica, past a sea of more than 100,000 pilgrims who waited for hours Monday under a blistering sun for a glimpse of the late pontiff before his funeral and entombment.
Twelve white-gloved pallbearers flanked by Swiss Guards in red-plumed helmets gingerly […]
‘Books of condolence have been opened across Northern Ireland to allow people to write their own personal messages of respect for Pope John Paul II.
Messages of sympathy have been issued by religious and political leaders from all communities for the Pope, who died on Saturday at 84 after a long illness.’
Read more at Books of […]
Thousands of people are gathering to pay their respects to Pope John Paul II when his body lies in state today in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The body of the pope will be moved from the papal apartments where the pontiff died late on April 2 at the age of 84. St. Peter’s will […]
‘They’re two separate accounts, unconfirmed by the Vatican — but telling similar tales of the pope’s final minutes.
The two stories say John Paul stared from his bed at his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square and whispered “Amen” before dying.’
Read more at Accounts of pope’s death say he looked toward window and said “Amen”
Pope John Paul died of septic shock and heart failure, says the Vatican in a copy of the official death certificate signed by the Pontiff’s personal doctor.
The Pope’s death was certified by the results of electro-cardio tests lasting more than 20 minutes.
Source: Pope died of septic shock, heart failure