Cardinals, Evangelists, Presidents Pay Respects to John Paul
Hundreds of cardinals, archbishops and dignitaries paid their respects to the late Pope John Paul II, whose body lay at the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on Sunday
Hundreds of cardinals, archbishops and dignitaries paid their respects to the late Pope John Paul II, whose body lay at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on Sunday.
The pope died yesterday from septic shock and cardiocirculatory collapse, according to the Vatican.
The pope’s body on Monday will be moved to the Sala Bologna at St. Peter’s Basilica, where it will remain until his funeral - slated for four to six days.
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Also on Monday, the first General Congregation of Cardinals will meet in the Apostolic Palace to make decisions on the burial time and other details.
The Vatican has not released information regarding John Paul’s instructions for his funeral or burial. As a Polish-born pope, John Paul may have wanted to be laid to rest in his homeland, or he may have wanted to be buried below the St. Peter’s Basilica.
After the pope’s burial, the entire College of Cardinals will gather at the Sistine Chapel to participate in a closed-door ritual to elect a new pope. While the cardinals are able to choose any Catholic male as a successor, they will likely choose someone from their own numbers.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of mourners filled St. Peter’s Square for the first of nine elaborate Masses marking the death of the pope. The officials masses are scheduled to last for three days.
"We entrust with confidence to the risen Christ, Lord of life and history, our beloved John Paul II who for 27 years guided the universal church as the successor of Peter," said the Mass's celebrant, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
Sodano added that he was at the pope's bedside as he died, and that the pontiff died serenely.
"Serenity is the fruit of faith,” he said.
There were 24-hour vigils and special services planned in major cities across the world as well.
President Bush also paid his respects to John Paul.
"The world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home,” he said, with the First Lady Laura Bush standing beside him. "We will always remember the humble, wise and fearless priest who became one of history's great moral leaders."
Bush ordered the U.S. flags at all federal buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of the pope's interment, according to CNN.
Meanwhile, the world’s most renowned evangelist, Billy Graham, paid his respects while on CNN’s Larry King Saturday night.
"I have a very strange feeling of loss. I almost feel as though one of my family members has gone," Graham said.
"I loved him very much, and had the opportunity of discussing so many things with him, and we wrote each other several times during the years."
