‘Rome’s mayor said Saturday that his city’s population was doubled by the flood of pilgrims for Pope John Paul II’s funeral. But while the figure of 2.6 million visitors may be impressive, it was fewer than the 4 million estimated earlier by police.
“The city doubled in size,” said Mayor Walter Veltroni. “The city spread out, […]
‘Tens of thousands of pilgrims made an exodus from Rome on Saturday, filling buses, trains and airplanes in a smooth flow a day after faithful from around the world packed streets for John Paul II’s funeral.
After a mad scramble to leave Friday afternoon following the ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, many who waited until Saturday […]
Text of the homily read, in Italian, by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals, during the funeral Mass of Pope John Paul II. Translation provided by the Vatican:
“Follow me.” The Risen Lord says these words to Peter. They are his last words to this disciple, chosen to shepherd his flock. “Follow […]
‘A Spanish woman, Alejandra Correa, and an Englishman, John G. McDonald, will read the two final readings at John Paul II’s funeral. The first reading in Spanish is taken from the Gospels, the second one, in English, from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The Psalm in between the two readings is entrusted, in Latin, […]
‘ROME An Italian military commander says he doesn’t think he’s ever seen such a huge effort to protect any one place in Italy.
Security is extremely tight in Rome and Vatican City, where hundreds of dignitaries are on hand for Pope John Paul’s funeral. Even bishops were required to go through metal detectors.
Helicopters and fighter jets […]
‘Under a clear Vatican sky, millions of mourners gathered in the shadow of the Basilica of St. Peter Friday to say goodbye to Pope John Paul II, applauding as 12 pallbearers placed his simple wood coffin directly in front of the great domed shrine shortly after 10 a.m. local time (4 a.m. EDT) for the […]
‘The brother of the Turkish gunman who shot and seriously wounded Pope John Paul II in 1981 said Thursday he does not plan to attend the pontiff’s funeral.
Adnan Agca, the brother of Mehmet Ali Agca, also denied reports that he had flown to Germany from where he was supposed to have traveled to Rome.
Adnan Agca, […]
‘The funeral ceremony for Pope John Paul II has begun in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Rome, in front of a mass of mourners and state leaders.
Applause broke out as the plain cypress wood coffin was borne out of St Peter’s Basilica by 12 bearers in black and placed on a small dais before […]
‘THE three-hour ceremony for the funeral of Pope John Paul II closely followed the 1998 instructions left by the pontiff.
The liturgy, established by the “Order for the funeral rites of the Roman pontiff”, emphasises the aspect of resurrection after death but includes the awesome words of the requiem mass that have been recited and chanted […]
‘Polish pilgrims packed the Eternal City before dawn Friday, still bleary-eyed from the 30-hour bus trip many endured to make it in time for the funeral of native son and national hero Pope John Paul II.
Polish officials say as many as 2 million Poles made the journey to pay their respects to the pope, whom […]
‘Presidents, prime ministers and kings joined millions of pilgrims, prelates and other religious leaders crowding St. Peter’s Square and Rome in paying a final farewell Friday to Pope John Paul at a funeral capping one of the largest religious gatherings in the West in modern times.
Applause rang out as John Paul’s simple wooden coffin, adorned […]
‘ Presidents, prime ministers and kings joined millions of pilgrims, prelates and other religious leaders crowding St. Peter’s Square and Rome in paying a final farewell Friday to Pope John Paul II in one of the largest religious gatherings in the West in modern times.
Applause rang out in the square as John Paul’s simple wooden […]
‘Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has joined world dignitaries in Rome for Friday’sfuneral of Pope John Paul, an official says, despite travel restrictions imposed on him by the EU.
The official said Mugabe, a Roman Catholic, had left for the Vatican on Wednesday night. He gave no furtherdetails.
The European Union imposed travel sanctions on Zimbabwean government officials […]
‘From anti-aircraft missiles to hundreds of marksmen, an “unprecedented” security operation kicked into top gear Thursday as 200 world leaders and a vast throng of pilgrims converged on Rome for the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Anti-aircraft Hawk and Italian Spada missile units were deployed in the outskirts of the Italian capital as Rome’s airspace […]