Thousands Gather to See Pope John Paul II’s Body Lying in State
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 open its doors from 5 p.m. Rome time today to allow the public to file past.
The date of the funeral will be set today at the first meeting of the College of Cardinals, who may also schedule the start of the conclave, the secretive election process for a new pope. Under church law the voting must start within three weeks.
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