St. James News and Information

What Leaders in Other Faiths Say

"An Extraordinary 'Lived Sermon' for Eastertide"

ROME, APRIL 9, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Accolades for John Paul II came from many non-Catholics, as this sampling shows.

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Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles

"No Pope did more for the Jews."

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New York Board of Rabbis

"We will lovingly remember his historic visits to the Great Synagogue in Rome, a concentration camp in Auschwitz (Poland) and the Western Wall in Jerusalem, as he stood with us in spiritual solidarity. Declaring anti-Semitism a sin against God and humanity, the Pope repeatedly reminded the world that we could never again remain silent while people perish because of their race or religion."

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Rowan Williams, Anglican archbishop of Canterbury

"I think in these past few days, we've seen an extraordinary 'lived sermon' for Eastertide, about facing death with honesty and courage; facing death in the hope of a relationship which is not broken by death but continues beyond it. Pope John Paul showed his character in the way in which he met his death; clearly frustrated, clearly suffering, and yet at every point accepting; facing his frailties and remaining courageous and hopeful. I feel there's a certain appropriateness about the fact that he died within the Easter season -- a time of the Church's year which meant so much to him. It has been a season in which he was able to give a message to the whole of the Christian world, and in fact to the whole human world, that won't be readily forgotten."

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Billy Graham, U.S. evangelist

Pope John Paul II was "unquestionably the most influential voice for morality and peace in the world during the last 100 years. He was convinced that the complex problems of our world are ultimately moral and spiritual in nature, and only Christ can set us free from the shackles of sin and greed and violence."

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Mark Hanson, president of the Lutheran World Federation

"Lutherans will always remember John Paul II as the pope who fostered an unprecedented growth in Lutheran/Roman Catholic relations. Healing the wounds laid bare during the 16th-century Reformation took on new meaning as the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification was signed in 1999. We live in new hope that the Spirit of the Living Christ will continue that work and bring about an even stronger relationship between the two church bodies."

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Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission

"He rallied the captive nations of Eastern Europe to throw off the yoke of Soviet communism. Furthermore, he emerged as one of the most eloquent spokesmen anywhere in the world for religious freedom for all human beings as a universal right, and for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death and everywhere in between."

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The Reverend Frank Griswold, leader of the U.S. Episcopal Church

"Like the householder in the Gospel he was able to bring out of the treasure of his own deep spirit things 'both new and old.' His voice and moral authority gave inspiration and hope to millions well beyond the Roman Catholic Church. His commitment to the unity of the church expressed itself in his personal willingness to meet with representatives of other faith communities and to invite those outside his own tradition to reflect on how the ministry of the Bishop of Rome might be of greater service both in the cause of Christian unity and the well-being of the world."

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Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals

"Pope John Paul II has stood with us strongly all over the free world in defending heterosexual, monogamous marriage and defending the fact that a fetus is a human being."

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Gregorius III Lahham, Greek Melkite patriarch of Damascus

The Pontiff was a "new John the Baptist" because like the original one he was "a voice who cried in the desert to prepare the ways of the Lord; he wiped hypocrisy and sin before our Risen Lord."

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The Dalai Lama

"In spite of increasing age and declining physical health, his relentless efforts to visit different parts of the world and meet the people who lived there to promote harmony and spiritual values, exemplified not only his deep concern but also the courage he brought to fulfilling it."

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Patriarch Alexy II, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church

"Pope John Paul personally, and his works and ideas, have had a strong impact on the world."

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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians

"Pope John Paul II envisioned the restoration of the unity of the Christians and he worked for its realization."

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Orthodox Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad, chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate

"The last days of John Paul II were marked by qualities, which have gained him respect of all people. He endured his sufferings with strong faith, thus making millions of people to admire his courage. I sincerely hope that his memory will serve the cause of building up good relations between our Churches and will be the pledge for overcoming the present difficulties. I pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the repose of the soul of His Holiness Pope John Paul II."

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Pope Shenouda III, Coptic Church

"I would like to extend to you my most heartfelt sympathies on the death of H.H. Pope John Paul II after he guided the Church throughout 26 years. During this period he was highly respected and honored by the peoples of the whole world. He was also highly praised for his personal qualities and his participation in the ecumenical work and the relationship between the Catholic Church and the rest of the churches of the world."

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Clifton Kirkpatrick, president, World Alliance of Reformed Churches

"We give thanks to God for the impact Pope John Paul II has made in his lifetime as a leader. We give thanks for a ministry in which, as a priest, bishop, and head of the Roman Catholic Church, he sought to bear witness to the Gospel in the contemporary world."

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Catholicos Aram I, World Council of Churches central committee moderator

"His Holiness Pope John Paul II will remain an outstanding figure in the modern history of world Christendom. In fact, his relentless effort to make the Gospel of Christ a living reality in the life of people, his unyielding prophetic witness to make the moral values the guiding principles of human societies, his firm commitment to the cause of Christian unity, his openness to other religions with a clear vision of living together as a reconciled community in the midst of diversities, and his continuous advocacy for justice, human rights and freedom made him an exceptional figure of great achievements. As moderator of the World Council of Churches central committee and as the Armenian Catholicos of Cilicia, I had the privilege to meet His Holiness on different occasions and witnessed the strength of his faith, the depth of his wisdom and the clarity of his vision."

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John Neill, Church of Ireland archbishop of Dublin

"His vision for the healing of the divisions of Christendom was lived out at a difficult time on the ecumenical journey -- when we had passed beyond the euphoria of the friendship arising from Vatican II -- and were at the more difficult stage of looking at not only what unites, but trying to understand somewhat more of what divides. It was often simply the friendship and warmth of John Paul II that allowed differences to remain differences between brothers and sisters in Christ -- family differences."

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Reverend Dr. Keith Clements, general secretary of the Conference of European Churches

"For the churches and peoples of Europe John Paul II was a figure of special significance. As a son of Poland he bore in his own life so much of the most tragic experience of Europe in the twentieth century brought by war and oppression, first under Nazi occupation and then under communist totalitarianism. Equally, under these experiences he embodied the finest spirit of European Christianity in refusing to compromise either his faith or his humanity.

"As a leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Poland it was he who did so much to inspire the cause of freedom and human rights both in his native country and further afield in Eastern Europe. His place in the history of change in Europe during the last quarter of the 20th century is secure. So too is his record during his long pontificate, of advocating the cause of greater European unity, the building of a 'common European house' in which the Christianity of both east and west has to share."

What Church Leaders Say About the Pope

"A Most Worthy Successor of the Humble Fisherman of Galilee"

ROME, APRIL 9, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Throughout the week, praise for the person of John Paul II came from many corners, including the political realm. Below is a sampling of what world leader said about the late Pope.

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Archbishop Sean O'Malley of Boston

"In the Holy Year of 2000, the Holy Father called for all to 'Open Wide the Doors to Christ,' to follow Christ not out of obligation but out of love. Pope John Paul II's life mirrored this call as each day he opened himself to being an instrument of unapologetic truth on moral and ethical issues facing our culture. I pray that the Lord will grant grace upon grace to his faithful servant and will welcome him into the eternal light and peace of God’s heavenly kingdom."

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Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop of New York

"He carried the Gospel into all corners of the world, proclaiming the dignity of every human being, the rights of the poor, and the evils of war 'in season and out of season.' In brief, he was a most worthy successor of the humble fisherman of Galilee upon whom the Lord built his Church."

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Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago

"Moral authority comes from office, but also from character. Karol Wojtyla was a survivor of Nazi-occupied Poland and its Communist successor government. He was a sportsman, an actor, a philosopher, and a poet. All of that captured people's imagination in a novel way, and he used all that he was to direct attention beyond himself to the One whose vicar he had become. In the past few years, he drew attention to Christ through his public fortitude in his sufferings, which conformed him personally ever more closely to Christ."

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Archbishop Charles Chaput, archbishop of Denver

"Pope John Paul II embodied the greatest qualities of the Second Vatican Council: a deep fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Gospel; profound confidence and joy in the Catholic faith; an openness to the good in the world; fraternal love for other Christians and the Jewish people; and a respect for all persons of good will. He knew personal suffering throughout his life. He experienced the cost of war, genocide and political oppression firsthand. These things never dented his faith. They did the opposite. They led him more deeply into the heart of God."

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Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia

"It was with deep sadness that I received the news of Pope John Paul II's passing. It was also with gratitude to God for the gift of the Holy Father. He will surely be remembered as the greatest spiritual leader of our time. His entire life was an example of how to live out our faith, how to give witness to the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Father gave himself completely in service to Jesus and to the universal Church. In his final years, he suffered from many physical ailments but he never allowed those pains and problems to weigh down his spirit; his suffering was his final gift. He was an example to us all of the value of human life at every stage of existence."

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Archbishop Brendan O'Brien, president of the Canadian bishops' conference

"Through both word and example he taught the strength of faith, the power of prayer, the need to forgive, and the imperative of serving the poor and oppressed of the world. His teachings will continue to guide the Church in the years ahead in its mission of proclaiming the Reign of God."

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Caritas Internationalis

"Throughout his life, Pope John Paul II responded with compassion to the problems of the world, and inspired us with his dedication to the people we serve -- the poor, the hungry, the displaced and all those who cry out for justice and an end to suffering. His words grace the walls of museums and slums alike, inspiring both the wealthy and poor with his message of hope."

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Cardinal George Pell, archbishop of Sydney

"He has been a genuine man of the spirit, a true priest. His example and teaching have encouraged orthodox Catholics everywhere to persevere. I personally can vouch for that. He has inspired thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, into the priesthood and religious life.

"Even in the West he has steadied the ship. If many were still resolved to be irresolute, solid only for drift, there has been no doubt about where he is heading. He has never lacked courage and courage is contagious. History will know him as John Paul the Great. He has earned that distinction."

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Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, archbishop of Westminster

"We have lost a great leader of our modern world. John Paul II was an extraordinary man, one of the greatest popes in the Church's 2,000-year history. We will remember him for his tireless witness to hope, to freedom, and to the dignity of human life. We will remember him for his courage in reaching across the boundaries of race, religion and ideology; we will remember him for his energy, as well as for his courageous endurance of physical suffering right until the end.

"John Paul II was always conscious of the drama of human salvation; he reminded us, tirelessly, of our eternal destiny. He showed, in his own life, how human beings are at their greatest and most free when they are most obedient to God’s will. His was a light that burned most strongly wherever the darkness was deepest. The Church will miss him. The world will miss him. I will miss him."

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Archbishop Sean Brady, archbishop of Armagh and primate of All Ireland

"He was a man of our time, yet not afraid to challenge the culture and values of our age. He gave it reasons for living and reasons for hope. He was also ahead of our time in his message of global solidarity, his vision of a civilization of love among all the people and nations of the world, in his respect for the human person and, to the very moment of his death, in his powerful witness to the Gospel of life. He was in every sense a witness to hope and a champion of life.

"The deep sense of peace and serenity which accompanied him into death, was of course, rooted in his life of frequent prayer and contemplation, particularly his prayer before the blessed sacrament. His deep and intimate relationship with Christ was the source of his great calm and courage in the face of so many challenges, not least the physical challenges of his later years. He often repeated the words of Jesus, 'Do not be afraid.'"

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Italian bishops' conference

"We ask everyone to gather themselves in prayer so that the Pope, who from the beginning of his pontificate invited us to open the doors to Christ, may now receive the embrace of Him, the Lord of life, who he announced in such an indefatigable way to all men and in every corner of the Earth. Our prayer becomes also an expression of gratitude to God, for the extraordinary gift he made to the Church and the world through the person and teachings of John Paul II."

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Spanish bishops' conference

"We all owe him deep gratitude for his faithful and unconditional dedication to the cause of the Gospel and to the mission received from Our Lord to confirm his brothers in the faith. His abnegated apostolic service became even more evident, if this were possible, in his suffering and sickness. Today, Catholics in the whole world, thanks to his ministry, feel stronger in our faith in Jesus Christ, more inspired by the hope of Glory and more decided in the charity that makes us sons of God and brothers to all men."

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Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community

"As the Servant of the servants of God, Pope John Paul II was a pope of universal vision in his teaching and in his pastoral outreach. He was a Pope for the globalizing world; he proclaimed the universal message of Christ as the source of true hope for humanity. His vision of human dignity -- rooted in the person of Jesus Christ, in whom God lived, suffered, died and rose from the dead -- was inextricably linked to the common good of all of humanity. Through this vision he sought to build bridges between peoples everywhere. He took particular pains to deepen ecumenical understanding between the Christian confessions, as well as to promote and strengthen interfaith relations."

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Mexican bishops' conference

"The bishops of Mexico feel along with the whole Church a profound sorrow for the death of the Holy Father. However, with faith we proclaim with joy the happy passing to God’s embrace. We are also thankful for the grace-filled treasure of this pastor, who from his first visit to our country, unleashed a process of pastoral dynamism that has enormously strengthened us."

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Cardinal Jaime Sin, retired archbishop of Manila, Philippines

"The Church has lost a Father and a Shepherd and I have also lost a brother and a good friend."

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Archbishop Evarist Pinto, archbishop of Karachi, Pakistan

The Pontiff was a "beloved father and kind-hearted pastor, a charismatic and dynamic leader, a champion for justice and human rights, the defender of the poor and the oppressed."

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Bishop Joseph Zen of Hong Kong

"Farewell to a great and beloved world wide spiritual leader. To witness to the truth is the fundamental mission of the Church ... the Holy Father courageously preached the Gospel of life emphasizing the sacredness of marriage and the importance of family. He defended each human life from conception to its natural end. My feeling at this moment is one of deep gratitude and lofty praise to the Lord. He worked marvels through this Pope from far off Poland. Certainly one of his regrets was not having had the chance to visit China. ...

"Dear Holy Father, now that you are with the Father in heaven, bless your flock in China. May the suffering on your deathbed complete your prayers and obtain the grace that the Chinese people may one day know Jesus Christ and be converted to God."

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Cardinal Jaime Ortega, archbishop of Havana

"This is a man who has carried the moral weight of the world for 26 years … turning himself into the only moral reference for humanity in recent years of wars and difficulties."

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Southern African Catholic bishops' conference

"With great sadness we mourn the death of John Paul II, while we are profoundly grateful for the many results that the Lord our God has attained through his tireless efforts to bring people closer to God and one closer to the other."

What World Leaders Say About John Paul II

"A Good Father to All of Us"

ROME, APRIL 9, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Throughout the week, praise for the person of John Paul II came from many corners, including the political realm. Below is a sampling of what world leader said about the late Pope.

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Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of Italy

"He has transmitted hope and fidelity to all of us. He has sculpted consciences with values that give meaning and dignity to people's lives and to human society. John Paul II believed in the force of the spirit and has witnessed, with his indomitable courage and serenity in suffering, the fortitude that enables us to affront any obstacle, to work for good in every circumstance. He will continue to live in our hearts, in our acknowledgment of his testimony and of his example. He has been a true apostle for peace in the whole world. Italy, Rome -- his diocese that is congregating in St Peter's Square -- cry for the loss of a father, for a loved person."

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Aleksander Kwasniewski, president of Poland

"A great Pope -- our most outstanding fellow countryman, the Holy Father, a good father to all of us, believers and nonbelievers, followers of different religions -- is no more."

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Silvio Berlusconi, prime minister of Italy

"We are grateful to him for the tireless and difficult work he carried out unstintingly against all forms of totalitarianism, violence, oppression and moral degradation, all in the name of the values of the Catholic Church, which are the supreme values of human dignity and solidarity."

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George W. Bush, president of the United States

"Pope John Paul II was, himself, an inspiration to millions of Americans, and to so many more throughout the world. We will always remember the humble, wise and fearless priest who became one of history's great moral leaders. We're grateful to God for sending such a man, a son of Poland, who became the Bishop of Rome, and a hero for the ages."

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Gerhard Schröder, German chancellor

The Pope had "influenced the peaceful integration of Europe in many ways. By his efforts and through his impressive personality, he changed our world."

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Lech Walesa, former Polish president and Solidarity leader

"I think we shall keep discovering how much the Holy Father worked for us and struggled for us. He spoke to us through his illness and through his suffering served to the very end.

"Without him there would be no end of communism or at least -- it would have come -- much later and the end would have been bloody."

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Shimon Peres, vice premier of Israel

The Pope "embodied the best that is within all mankind as well as the commonness of humanity. ... His actions and statements transformed relations between the Catholic and Jewish faiths, and made a fundamental impact on the struggle against anti-Semitism."

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Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian leader

"We will miss him as a distinguished religious figure, who devoted his life to defending the values of peace, freedom and equality."

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Fidel Castro, president of Cuba

"Humanity will preserve an emotional memory of the tireless work of His Holiness John Paul II in favor of peace, justice and solidarity among all people."

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Mohammad Khatami, Iranian president

"It is with extreme sadness that we hear of the passing of the leader of the world's Catholics, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, who commanded the three paths of religious learning, philosophical thought and poetical and artistic creativity."

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Kofi Annan, U.N. secretary-general

"Quite apart from his role as a spiritual guide to more than a billion men, women and children, he was a tireless advocate of peace, a true pioneer in interfaith dialogue and a strong force for critical self-evaluation by the Church itself."

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Gloria Arroyo, president of the Philippines

"He was a holy champion of the Filipino family and of profound Christian values that make everyone of us contemplate ... what is just, moral and sacred in life."

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Vicente Fox, president of Mexico

"John Paul II was an exceptional man, his legacy will transcend generations."

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Jacques Chirac, president of France

[History] "will retain the imprint and the memory of this exceptional sovereign pontiff, whose charisma, conviction and compassion carried the evangelical message with unprecedented resonance on the international stage."

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Tony Blair, prime minister of the United Kingdom

"The world has lost a religious leader who was revered across people of all faiths and none. He was an inspiration, a man of extraordinary faith, dignity and courage."

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Mary McAleese, president of Ireland

"His trust in the future, his never-wavering commitment to the worth of each human life and his witness under the burden of personal suffering constituted a sign of great value in the modern age."

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Levy Mwanawasa, president of Zambia

"To the departed Holy Father, I say we believe that it is not your wish to mourn you in our grief but to celebrate the achievements you humbly made to realize and emulate your life. But if you see tears rolling in our eyes, it is because we cannot bear saying farewell dear father."

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Armando Guebuza, president of Mozambique

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza described the death of John Paul II as an "irreplaceable loss" for the Mozambican people, because of the Pope's "tireless collaboration and dedication to the promotion of human and social development."

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Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, president of India

"The demise of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II was received with deep shock and profound sorrow, by the people of India who considered him a champion of world peace and harmony. His was an endearing voice of reason against all forms of intolerance, inhumanity and injustice. His ceaseless efforts to advocate the cause of human values will always be remembered as the beacon of hope against the daunting challenges of today's world."

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Álvaro Uribe, president of Colombia

The new generations that have only known one Pontiff, who today experience his loss, have in His Holiness a model of democracy, solidarity, of fighting without giving in. A model of peace and love, without exception or hate.

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John Howard, prime minister of Australia

"The Pope was an inspirational leader not only to 1 billion Catholics around the world but he was an exemplar of the Christian life for all Christians."

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Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil

"The death of Pope John Paul II profoundly saddens the Brazilian people. His three visits to Brazil are still remembered with vivid emotion. ... Brazil feels sorrowful for the loss of one of the men who positively marked the course of contemporary history."

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Mikhail Gorbachev, former Soviet president

"I mourn his loss. We knew it was coming to this. What can I say -- it must have been the will of God. He acted really courageously. His devotion to his followers is a remarkable example to all of us."

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José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission

"Europeans will never forget his fight for peace and human dignity."

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General Musharraf, president of Pakistan

"The Pope had rendered incredible services for peace, had brought people closer belonging to different faiths."

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Olusegun Obasanjo, president of Nigeria

"Pope John Paul II was not only the leader of Catholics around the world, including Nigeria, but also showed commitment and courage in his quest for mutual tolerance, harmony and unity among the world's religions."

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Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic

"I consider John Paul II to be one of the most outstanding personalities of the whole 20th century. He was a wise and sensitive man, who dedicated his entire life to the ideals of love to man, ideals of human kindness, humility, helping the weak ones, peace, human freedom, dignity, and responsibility. In a fundamental way he influenced the struggle for democracy in the countries of the Communist bloc and it was also his merit that these countries live in freedom again."

Cardinals Unanimously Decide To Avoid Media Interviews

VATICAN CITY, APR 9, 2005 (VIS) - At the end of today's Sixth General Congregation of Cardinals during the vacant see period, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in a briefing held for accredited journalists in the press office, released the following information:

"The Sixth General Congregation of Cardinals during the vacant see period was held this morning in the New Synod Hall.

"After the opening prayer the cardinals who joined the assembly today took their oath. There were 130 cardinals present.

"Cardinal Trujillo expressed gratitude to many people for yesterday's ceremony: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, camerlengo of Holy Roman Church, and the diverse Vatican services; the Secretariat of State, the Office of the Master of Liturgical Celebrations for the preparation, organization and unfolding of yesterday's intense funeral ceremony

"He then expressed a heartfelt thank-you to all the pilgrims present, especially those from Poland and from all of Italy, just as he gave thanks for the welcome provided by the city of Rome for this exceptional pilgrimage.

"At the meeting, particular thanks were expressed to the Italian authorities for the perfect and much-appreciated organization of the exceptional events of these days.

"Certain considerations were then made concerning the celebration, beginning with yesterday's funeral Mass, of the 'novendiali' (nine days of mourning) for the late Supreme Pontiff.

"The cardinals examined certain questions concerning their entry into the 'Domus Sanctae Marthae' and the formal start of the Conclave, due to begin on Monday, April 18 at 4.30 p.m.

"The cardinals, after the funeral Mass of the Holy Father, began a more intense period of silence and prayer, in view of the conclave. They unanimously decided to avoid interviews and encounters with the media. Journalists are therefore courteously invited to abstain from asking the cardinals for interviews or any other comments. This invitation should not be seen as an attitude of discourtesy or disinterest with regards to the media - in fact the cardinals wish to thank them for the enormous interest with which they are following events in this period - but rather as a gesture of great responsibility.

"Chapters 1 and 2 of the Apostolic Constitution 'Universi Dominici gregis' were read in the hall.

"Two cardinals have communicated that they will be unable to attend for reasons of health: Jaime L. Sin, archbishop emeritus of Manila, the Philippines, and Adolfo Antonio Suarez Rivera, archbishop emeritus of Monterrey, Mexico."

Navarro-Valls added that the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See will be invited to the Mass "pro eligendo Summo Pontifice" on Monday morning, April 18. He also said that anyone who wished to attend any of the remaining eight Masses of the novendiali, starting today at 5 p.m., may do so. There will be no tickets for these celebrations.

He also said that he had received countless questions about the beatification process for John Paul II and noted that this is entirely up to the new Supreme Pontiff.

Rogito: Orginial Text

OBITUS, DEPOSITIO ET TUMULATIO
IOANNIS PAULI II SANCTAE MEMORIAE

In lumine Christi a mortuis Resurgentis, die II mensis Aprilis anno Domini MMV, hora vicesima prima, triginta septem momentis elapsis, vesperi, cum dies sabbati ad finem vergeret atque ingressi essemus diem Domini, Octavam scilicet Paschalem necnon Dominicam Divinae Misericordiae, Ecclesiae dilectus Pastor, Ioannes Paulus II de hoc mundo ad Patrem demigravit. Eius transitum tota orans Ecclesia est comitata, Iuvenes potissimum.

Ioannes Paulus II ducentesimus sexagesimus quartus fuit Pontifex. Eius memoria in totius Ecclesiae omniumque hominum cordibus manet.

Carolus Wojty³a, qui die XVI Octobris anno MCMLXXVIII Summus Pontifex electus est, Wadowice, in urbe scilicet quae quinquaginta kiliometra abest a Cracovia, die XVIII mensis Maii anno MCMXX natus est atque duobus post diebus in paroeciali Templo a presbytero Francisco Zak baptizatus est.

Novem annos natus Primam Communionem recepit atque duodevicesimum agens annum confirmatus est.

Quibus incumbebat, studiis intermissis, quia nationalis socialismi obsidentes potestates studiorum universitatem clauserant, in lapidicinis ab anno MCMXL ad annum MCMXLIV, et postea in fabrica chemica Solvay opus fecit.

Ab anno MCMXLII, cum se ad sacerdotium vocari sentiret, seminarium clandestinum adiit Cracoviense. Die I mensis Novembris anno MCMXLVI per Cardinalis Adami Sapieha manuum impositionem sacerdotalem ordinationem Cracoviae recepit. Romam posthac missus est, ubi primum licentiam, exinde doctoratum in sacra theologia est consecutus, thesim scribens, cuius titulus Doctrina de fide apud Sanctum Ioannem a Cruce.

Poloniam postea repetiit, ubi quaedam sustinuit officia pastoralia et quasdam disciplinas sacras docuit. Die IV mensis Iulii anno MCMLVIII a Pio XII Episcopus Auxiliaris Cracoviensis constitutus est atque eidem Sedi a Paulo VI Archiepiscopus anno MCMLXIV est destinatus. Ut Archiepiscopus Cracoviensis Concilio Oecumenico Vaticano II interfuit. Paulus VI die XXVI mensis Iunii anno MCMLXVII in Patrum Cardinalium Collegium eum rettulit.

In Conclavi die XVI mensis Octobris anno MCMLXXVIII Summus Pontifex a Patribus Cardinalibus electus est atque ipse sibi nomen imposuit Ioannem Paulum II. Subsequenti die XXII, Dominico die, sollemniter suum Petrinum ministerium incohavit.

Pontificatus Ioannis Pauli II unus ex longissimis in Ecclesiae historia exstitit. Hoc temporis spatio multa sunt commutata variis in provinciis. In his communistarum quarundam nationum regiminum dissolutiones annumerantur, ad quam rem multum contulit ipse Summus Pontifex. Evangelii nuntiandi causa innumera quoque itinera varias in nationes suscepit.

Ministerium Petrinum strenuo suo missionali animo gessit, omnes impendens suas vires, cum sollicitudo omnium Ecclesiarum itemque in cunctos homines caritas eum tenerent. Magis quam antea unquam Dei Populum ac Nationum Potestates, in Celebrationibus, in generalibus peculiaribusque Audientiis atque pastoralibus Visitationibus ipse convenit.

In iuvenes dilectio eum compulit ut Dies Mundiales Iuventutis ediceret, innumeris undique gentium convocatis iuvenibus.

Dialogum cum Hebraeis multisque ceterarum religionum sectatoribus promovit atque earum asseclas nonnumquam convocavit causa pro pace precandi, Asisii potissimum.

Cardinalium Collegium valde auxit, cum eligerentur ab eo ducenti triginta et unus cardinales (et unus in pectore). Quindecim Congressiones Synodorum Episcoporum, scilicet septem generales ordinarias et octo speciales convocavit. Complures Dioeceses ecclesiasticasque Circumscriptiones, praesertim in Europa orientali, constituit. Codicem Iuris Canonici et Codicem Canonum Ecclesiarum Orientalium reformavit Romanamque Curiam denuo composuit.

Sicut "sacerdos magnus" in Romana Dioecesi totoque terrarum orbe sacrae liturgiae ministerium exercuit, erga Concilium Vaticanum II plena servata fidelitate. Peculiarem in modum vitam spiritalitatemque liturgicam necnon comtemplativam orationem, eucharisticam potissimum adorationem sanctique Rosarii precationem promovit (cfr Ep. ap. Rosarium Virginis Mariae).

Summi Pontificis ductu Ecclesia tertio millennio se appropinquavit ac Magnum Iubilaeum anni bismillesimi celebravit, secundum normas ab ipso latas Litterarum apostolicarum Tertio millennio adveniente. Exinde novum aevum eadem est ingressa consilia propositaque recipiens in Litteris apostolicis Novo millennio ineunte significata, quibus futuri temporis iter fidelibus ille demonstrabat.

Per Redemptionis Annum, Marialem Annum et Eucharistiae Annum effecit ut Ecclesia spiritaliter renovaretur. Multum dedit operae beatificationibus et canonizationibus, ut innumera sanctitatis exempla hodiernae aetatis ostenderet, quae incitamento essent qui nunc sunt hominibus. Teresiam a Iesu Infante Ecclesiae Doctorem declaravit.

Doctrinae magisterium luculenter Ioannes Paulus II exercuit. Fidei depositi custos, prudenter animoseque ad catholicam doctrinam, theologicam, moralem spiritalemque provehendam operam navavit et ad arcenda quae verae Ecclesiae traditioni sunt adversa toto Pontificatus tempore sollicite incubuit.

Inter praecipua documenta quattuordecim Litterae encyclicae, quindecim Adhortationes apostolicae, undecim Constitutiones apostolicae, quadraginta quinque Litterae apostolicae, praeter catecheses in generalibus Audientiis ac adlocutiones ubique terrarum habitas, annumerantur. Suam per docendi operam Ioannes Paulus II Dei Populum confirmavit eique theologicam doctrinam (tribus potissimum praecipuis Litteris encyclicis, scilicet Redemptor hominis, Dives in misericordia, Dominum et vivificantem), anthropologicam socialemque (Litteris encyclicis Laborem exercens, Sollicitudo rei socialis, Centesimus annus), moralem (Litteris encyclicis Veritatis splendor, Evangelium vitae), oecumenicam (Litteris encyclicis Ut unum sint), missiologicam (Litteris encyclicis Redemptoris missio), mariologicam (Litteris encyclicis Redemptoris Mater) tradidit.

Catechismus Ecclesiae Catholicae, sub Revelationis lumine, quam Concilium Vaticanum II insigniter collustravit, ab eo est promulgatus. Quaedam etiam volumina uti privatus Doctor edidit.

Eius magisterium in Litteris encyclicis Ecclesia de Eucharistia et Litteris apostolicis Mane nobiscum Domine, Eucharistiae Anno, attigit fastigium.

Mirabiles pietatis, sanctitatis vitae universalisque paternitatis cunctis hominibus testificationes reliquit Ioannes Paulus II.
…….

Celebrationum tumulationisque testes

CORPUS IOANNIS PAULI II P.M.
VIXIT ANNOS LXXXIV MENSES X DIES XV

ECCLESIAE UNIVERSAE PRAEFUIT
ANNOS XXVI MENSES V DIES XVII

Semper in Christo vivas, Pater Sancte!

[Text presented by Zenit]

"Rogito": the Document Placed in Pope's Coffin

Tells of His Life and Works

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 8, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the "Rogito," the record of the life and works of John Paul II, read by Archbishop Piero Marini, master of pontifical liturgical celebrations.

After being signed by all those present, the document was placed in John Paul II's coffin.

* * *

OBITUS, DEPOSITO ET TUMULATO
IOANNIS PAULI PP II SANCTAE MEMORIAE

In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on April 2 of the year of the Lord 2005, at 9:37 p.m., as Saturday was coming to an end, and we had already entered the day of the Lord, octave of Easter and Sunday of Divine Mercy, the beloved pastor of the Church, John Paul II, passed from this world to the Father. The whole Church, in prayer, accompanied him in his passing.

John Paul II was the 264th Pope. His memory remains in the heart of the Church and of the whole of humanity.

Karol Wojtyla, elected Pope on Oct. 16, 1978, was born in Wadowice, a city 50 kilometers from Krakow, on May 18, 1920, and was baptized two days later in the parish Church of the priest Francis Zak.

He received his first Communion when he was 9 years old, and the sacrament of confirmation when he was 18. His studies interrupted, because the Nazi occupation forces had closed the university, he worked in a quarry and, later, in the Solvay chemical factory.

In 1942, aware of his call to the priesthood, he began courses of formation in the clandestine seminary of Krakow. He received his priestly ordination on Nov. 1, 1946, from the hands of Cardinal Adam Sapieha. Then he was sent to Rome where he obtained a licentiate and doctorate in theology, with a thesis entitled "Doctrina de fide apud Sanctum Ioannem a Cruce."

He returned to Poland where he had several pastoral duties and taught the sacred disciplines. On July 4, 1958, Pope Pius XII named him auxiliary bishop of Krakow. He was nominated archbishop of the same see by Paul VI in 1964. In this capacity, he took part in Vatican Council II. Paul VI created him cardinal on June 26, 1967.

He was elected Pope by the cardinals in the conclave on Oct. 16, 1978 and took the name John Paul II. On Oct. 22, the day of the Lord, he solemnly began his Petrine ministry.

John Paul II's pontificate was one of the longest in the history of the Church. In that period, under several aspects, many changes were witnessed. Counted among them was the fall of some regimes, to which he himself contributed. He undertook many trips to various nations for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel.

John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with untiring missionary spirit, dedicating all his energies driven by "sollicitudo omnium ecclesiarum" and by open charity to the whole of humanity. More than any predecessor, he met with the people of God and leaders of nations, in celebrations, general and special audiences and pastoral visits.

His love of young people led him to initiate World Youth Day, convoking millions of youths in several parts of the world.

He successfully promoted dialogue with the Jews and with representatives of the other religions, convoking them at times to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.

He notably enlarged the College of Cardinals, creating 231 (plus one "in pectore"). He convoked some 15 assemblies of the Synod of Bishops, 7 ordinary general and 8 special. He erected numerous dioceses and circumscriptions, in particular in Eastern Europe.

He reformed the Western and Eastern Code of Canon Law, and created nine institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.

As "sacerdos magnus" he exercised the liturgical ministry in the Diocese of Rome and in the whole world, in total fidelity to Vatican Council II. He promoted, in an exemplary way, the liturgical and spiritual life and contemplative prayer, especially Eucharistic adoration and the prayer of the Holy Rosary (Cf. apostolic letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae").

The Church entered the third millennium under his leadership and celebrated the Great Jubilee of 2000, according to the guidelines indicated in the apostolic letter "Tertio Millennio Adveniente." She then faced the new age, receiving guidelines in the apostolic letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte," in which the faithful were shown the path of the future time.

With the Year of the Redemption, Marian Year and Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impulse to canonizations and beatifications, to show innumerable examples of holiness today, which would give an incentive to the men of our time. He proclaimed St. Therese of the Child Jesus Doctor of the Church.

John Paul II's doctrinal magisterium is very rich. Guardian of the deposit of faith, with wisdom and courage he did his utmost to promote Catholic, theological, moral and spiritual doctrine, and to oppose during the whole of his pontificate tendencies contrary to the genuine tradition of the Church.

Among his principal documents are numbered 14 encyclicals, 15 apostolic exhortations, 11 apostolic constitutions, 45 apostolic letters, in addition to the catecheses proposed in the general audiences and the talks given all over the world. With his teaching, John Paul II confirmed and enlightened the people of God on theological doctrine (especially in the first three important encyclicals -- "Redemptor Hominis," "Dives in Misericordia" and "Dominum et Vivificantem"), anthropology and social issues ("Laborem Exercens," "Sollicitudo Rei Socialis" and "Centesimus Annus"), morals ("Veritatis Splendor" and "Evangelium Vitae"), ecumenicism ("Ut Unum Sint"), missiology ("Redemptoris Mission") and Mariology ("Redemptoris Mater").

He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in the light of tradition, authoritatively interpreted by Vatican Council II. He also published some volumes as a Ph.D.

His magisterium culminated, during the Year of the Eucharist, in the Encyclical "Ecclesia de Eucharistia" and in the Apostolic Letter "Mane Nobiscum Domine."

John Paul II left all an admirable testimony of piety, sanctity and universal paternity.

(Signatures of the witnesses of the burial ceremonies …)

CORPUS IOANNIS PAULI II P.M.
VIXIT ANNOS LXXXIV, MENSES X DIES XV

ECCLESIAE UNIVERSAE PRAEFUIT
ANNOS XXVI MENSES V DIES XVII

Semper in Christo vivas, Pater Sancte!

[Original text in Italian; ZENIT translation]

Bless Us, Holy Father, From The Window Of The Father's House

VATICAN CITY, APR 8, 2005 (VIS) - Below is the English translation of the homily, delivered in Italian by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, at the funeral Mass for the Holy Father John Paul II, held in St Peter's Square this morning:

"'Follow me.' The Risen Lord says these words to Peter. They are his last words to this disciple, chosen to shepherd his flock. 'Follow me' - this lapidary saying of Christ can be taken as the key to understanding the message which comes to us from the life of our late beloved Pope John Paul II. Today we bury his remains in the earth as a seed of immortality - our hearts are full of sadness, yet at the same time of joyful hope and profound gratitude.

"These are the sentiments that inspire us, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, present here in Saint Peter's Square, in neighboring streets and in various other locations within the city of Rome, where an immense crowd, silently praying, has gathered over the last few days. I greet all of you from my heart. In the name of the College of Cardinals, I also wish to express my respects to Heads of State, Heads of Government and the delegations from various countries. I greet the Authorities and official representatives of other Churches and Christian Communities, and likewise those of different religions. Next I greet the Archbishops, Bishops, priests, religious men and women and the faithful who have come here from every Continent; especially the young, whom John Paul II liked to call the future and the hope of the Church. My greeting is extended, moreover, to all those throughout the world who are united with us through radio and television in this solemn celebration of our beloved Holy Father's funeral.

"Follow me! As a young student Karol Wojtyla was thrilled by literature, the theatre, and poetry. Working in a chemical plant, surrounded and threatened by the Nazi terror, he heard the voice of the Lord: Follow me! In this extraordinary setting he began to read books of philosophy and theology, and then entered the clandestine seminary established by Cardinal Sapieha. After the war he was able to complete his studies in the faculty of theology of the Jagiellonian University of Krakow. How often, in his letters to priests and in his autobiographical books has he spoken to us about his priesthood, to which he was ordained on 1 November 1946. In these texts he interprets his priesthood with particular reference to three sayings of the Lord. First: 'You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last' (Jn 15:16). The second saying is: 'The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep' (Jn 10:11). And then: 'As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love' (Jn 15:9). In these three sayings we see the heart and soul of our Holy Father. He really went everywhere, untiringly, in order to bear fruit, fruit that lasts. 'Rise, Let us be on our Way!' is the title of his next-to-last book. 'Rise, let us be on our way!' - with these words he roused us from a lethargic faith, from the sleep of the disciples of both yesterday and today. 'Rise, let us be on our way!' he continues to say to us even today. The Holy Father was a priest to the last, for he offered his life to God for his flock and for the entire human family, in a daily self-oblation for the service of the Church, especially amid the sufferings of his final months. And in this way he became one with Christ, the Good Shepherd who loves his sheep. Finally, 'abide in my love:' the Pope who tried to meet everyone, who had an ability to forgive and to open his heart to all, tells us once again today, with these words of the Lord, that by abiding in the love of Christ we learn, at the school of Christ, the art of true love.

"Follow me! In July 1958 the young priest Karol Wojtyla began a new stage in his journey with the Lord and in the footsteps of the Lord. Karol had gone to the Masuri lakes for his usual vacation, along with a group of young people who loved canoeing. But he brought with him a letter inviting him to call on the Primate of Poland, Cardinal Wyszynski. He could guess the purpose of the meeting: he was to be appointed as the auxiliary Bishop of Krakow. Leaving the academic world, leaving this challenging engagement with young people, leaving the great intellectual endeavor of striving to understand and interpret the mystery of that creature which is man and of communicating to today's world the Christian interpretation of our being - all this must have seemed to him like losing his very self, losing what had become the very human identity of this young priest. Follow me - Karol Wojtyla accepted the appointment, for he heard in the Church's call the voice of Christ. And then he realized how true are the Lord's words: 'Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it' (Lk 17:33). Our Pope - and we all know this - never wanted to make his own life secure, to keep it for himself; he wanted to give of himself unreservedly, to the very last moment, for Christ and thus also for us. And thus he came to experience how everything which he had given over into the Lord's hands came back to him in a new way. His love of words, of poetry, of literature, became an essential part of his pastoral mission and gave new vitality, new urgency, new attractiveness to the preaching of the Gospel, even when it is a sign of contradiction.

"Follow me! In October 1978 Cardinal Wojtyla once again heard the voice of the Lord. Once more there took place that dialogue with Peter reported in the Gospel of this Mass: 'Simon, son of John, do you love me? Feed my sheep!' To the Lord's question, 'Karol, do you love me?,' the Archbishop of Krakow answered from the depths of his heart: 'Lord you know everything; you know that I love you.' The love of Christ was the dominant force in the life of our beloved Holy Father. Anyone who ever saw him pray, who ever heard him preach, knows that. Thanks to his being profoundly rooted in Christ, he was able to bear a burden which transcends merely human abilities: that of being the shepherd of Christ's flock, his universal Church. This is not the time to speak of the specific content of this rich pontificate. I would like only to read two passages of today's liturgy which reflect central elements of his message. In the first reading, Saint Peter says - and with Saint Peter, the Pope himself - 'I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ - he is Lord of all' (Acts 10:34-36). And in the second reading, Saint Paul - and with Saint Paul, our late Pope - exhorts us, crying out: 'My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved' (Phil 4:1).

"Follow me! Together with the command to feed his flock, Christ proclaimed to Peter that he would die a martyr's death. With those words, which conclude and sum up the dialogue on love and on the mandate of the universal shepherd, the Lord recalls another dialogue, which took place during the Last Supper. There Jesus had said: 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' Peter said to him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus replied: 'Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow me afterward.' (Jn 13:33,36). Jesus from the Supper went towards the Cross, went towards his resurrection - he entered into the paschal mystery; and Peter could not yet follow him. Now - after the resurrection - comes the time, comes this 'afterward.' By shepherding the flock of Christ, Peter enters into the paschal mystery, he goes towards the cross and the resurrection. The Lord says this in these words: '... when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go' (Jn 21:18). In the first years of his pontificate, still young and full of energy, the Holy Father went to the very ends of the earth, guided by Christ. But afterwards, he increasingly entered into the communion of Christ's sufferings; increasingly he understood the truth of the words: 'Someone else will fasten a belt around you.' And in this very communion with the suffering Lord, tirelessly and with renewed intensity, he proclaimed the Gospel, the mystery of that love which goes to the end (cf. Jn 13:1).

"He interpreted for us the paschal mystery as a mystery of divine mercy. In his last book, he wrote: The limit imposed upon evil 'is ultimately Divine Mercy' (Memory and Identity, pp. 60-61). And reflecting on the assassination attempt, he said: 'In sacrificing himself for us all, Christ gave a new meaning to suffering, opening up a new dimension, a new order: the order of love ... It is this suffering which burns and consumes evil with the flame of love and draws forth even from sin a great flowering of good' (pp. 189-190). Impelled by this vision, the Pope suffered and loved in communion with Christ, and that is why the message of his suffering and his silence proved so eloquent and so fruitful.

"Divine Mercy: the Holy Father found the purest reflection of God's mercy in the Mother of God. He, who at an early age had lost his own mother, loved his divine mother all the more. He heard the words of the crucified Lord as addressed personally to him: 'Behold your Mother.' And so he did as the beloved disciple did: he took her into his own home (eis ta idia: Jn 19:27) - 'Totus tuus.' And from the mother he learned to conform himself to Christ.

"None of us can ever forget how in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing 'urbi et orbi.' We can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window of the Father's house, that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

MILLIONS, INCLUDING 200 HEADS OF STATE, ATTEND POPE'S FUNERAL

VATICAN CITY, APR 8, 2005 (VIS) - Before the start of the funeral Mass today for John Paul II in St. Peter's Square in the presence of an estimated 300,000 people, including over 200 heads of State and government, the deceased Pope's body was placed in a cypress casket and closed in the presence of a number of witnesses.

Among those present for this rite were Cardinals Martinez Somalo, camerlengo of Holy Roman Church, Angelo Sodano, former secretary of state, Joseph Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals, Camillo Ruini, vicar for the diocese of Rome, Francesco Marchisano, archpriest of the Vatican Basilica, and Archbishops Stanislaw Dziwisz, the Holy Father's personal secretary and James Harvey, prefect of the Papal Household.

The cardinal camerlengo introduced the rite of the closing of the casket. Archbishop Piero Marini, master of papal liturgical ceremonies, then read the "Rogito," a summary of the life of the Pope, copies of which were signed by those present. An antiphon and psalm were sung, followed by silent prayer. The master of ceremonies than placed a veil of white silk over the head of the deceased and the cardinal camerlengo sprinkled the body with holy water. The master of ceremonies then placed a bag with some medals coined during the pontificate of the deceased and a lead tube containing the original copy of the Rogito in the casket.

As the casket was closed, Psalm 41 was recited.

The casket of John Paul II was brought to St. Peter's Square in procession, placed on a carpet on the ground in front of the main alter and a book of Gospels was placed on top of the casket and opened. The procession included the College of Cardinals and the patriarchs of the Oriental Churches, all in red vestments, who kissed the altar before taking their places. Mass was presided over by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and concelebrated by 164 cardinals.

Millions of people who had come to Rome for John Paul's funeral but who could not be accommodated in St. Peter's Square itself, watched the ceremony on 27 giant screens placed throughout the city, including at the two football stadiums, Tor Vergata University, the Circus Maximus, the basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Risorgimento near the Vatican, the Colosseum and Via della Conciliazione, the broad avenue leading to St. Peter's Square.

Many of those in St. Peter's Square, at various times during the Mass, called out for John Paul II to be proclaimed a saint. These calls, accompanied by sustained applause, began as Cardinal Ratzinger finished his homily A number of banners could be seen with the words "Santo Subito" (a saint immediately) and "John Paul II the Great" and one, with his papal crest, saying "Pope John Paul II - saint."

Following the prayer after communion Cardinal Ratzinger proceeded to the rite of the final recommendation and act of committal, standing by the casket of John Paul II. Cardinal Ruini then stood next to the casket, the cantors sang the Litany of Saints and the cardinal vicar then concluded the supplication of the Church of Rome with a prayer and returned to his seat.

At this point the patriarchs and archbishops major and metropolitans of the Catholic Oriental metropolitan Churches "sui iuris", went to the casket and, facing the altar, recited the supplication of the Oriental Churches from the Office of the Dead of the Byzantine liturgy. Everyone present prayed in silence and Cardinal Ratzinger sprinkled holy water on the remains while the choir sang a response.

The casket of John Paul II was then brought into the Vatican Basilica to the place of burial as the faithful sang the Magnificat. Those present earlier at the closing of the casket accompanied it into the basilica. John Paul II was brought to the grotto area of St. Peter's Basilica for burial in a rite presided over by the cardinal camerlengo.

The cypress casket with the mortal remains of John Paul II was tied with red ribbons on which were placed the seals of the Apostolic Camera, the Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff and the Vatican Chapter. The cypress casket was then placed in the zinc and wood caskets which were soldered shut and covered with the seals of the aforementioned offices. On the top are the cross and coat-of-arms of John Paul II.

The notary of the Basilica Chapter verified the act of burial and read it to those present.

Attending today's funeral Mass for the Holy Father were reigning monarchs of 10 countries, 57 heads of State, 3 hereditary princes, 17 heads of government, the heads of 3 international organizations and representatives from 10 others, 3 spouses of heads of State, 8 vice heads of State, 6 vice prime ministers, 4 presidents of parliaments, 12 foreign ministers, 13 ministers, and ambassadors from 24 countries.

Religious delegations, numbering 140 people, included representatives from the Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Churches and ecclesial communions of the West, international Christian organizations, the National Association of Evangelicals, representatives of Judaism, Islam and delegations from non-Christian religions.

REPEAT: SPECIAL ST. JAMES MASS ON FRIDAY, 4/8 at 7:30 PM

St. James Catholic Church will hold a Mass in honor on John Paul II this coming Friday, April 8, 2005, at 7:30 PM.

Two Preachers Chosen to Exhort Conclave

Cardinal Spidlik and Father Cantalamessa to Give Meditations

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 7, 2005 (Zenit.org).- The general congregation of cardinals chose the two preachers who will present key meditations to exhort the conclave: Cardinal Tomas Spidlik and Father Raniero Cantalamessa.

In the 1996 apostolic constitution "Universi Dominici Gregis," which establishes the norms for the vacant See, John Paul II said of the cardinals: "They shall entrust to two ecclesiastics known for their sound doctrine, wisdom and moral authority the task of presenting to the Cardinals two well-prepared meditations on the problems facing the Church at the time and on the need for careful discernment in choosing the new Pope."

"Father Raniero Cantalamessa will give his intervention on Thursday, April 14, during the general congregation of the morning," a Holy See press statement announced today. "Cardinal Tomas Spidlik, S.J., will address the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on Monday, April 18."

Cardinal Spidlik, who is 85, is too old to participate in the conclave.

Father Cantalamessa, 70, is a Franciscan Capuchin. He previously was a professor of history of ancient Christianity and director of the department of religious sciences at the Catholic University of Milan. He was a member of the International Theological Commission from 1975 to 1981.

In 1980 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as preacher to the Pontifical Household.

Tomas Spidlik was born in Boskovice, Czech Republic. He was ordained a priest in August 1949 and made his final profession as a Jesuit in February 1958.

In 1938 he began his studies of philosophy, but because of the Nazi occupation, he was forced to abandon those studies and to work. Again between 1942 and 1945 he continued his studies, but with interruptions due to forced labor. Later he became prefect of the secondary school of Velehrad, where he taught the Czech and Russian languages.

Since 1951 he has been a collaborator with Vatican Radio. He was a lecturer at the Pontifical Oriental Institute and taught courses at the Gregorian University. He is known for his preaching of spiritual retreats, and in 1995 he led the retreat for the Pope and the Roman Curia.

Cardinal Spidlik has served as a consultor of the Vatican congregations for Sainthood Causes and for the Eastern Churches.