In Memoriam

Pope John Paul II
 

Karol Jozef Cardinal Wojtyla - 1978

When a pontiff dies, the Papal Seal (above) is removed from service
and the Vacancy in the Apostolic See seal (below)  is in its place
until a new pope has been elected.

The world was saddened to learn of the passing of
Pope John Paul II

1920 - 2005

The world was saddened to learn of the passing of
Pope John Paul II on 2 April 2005.

The angels welcome you and take you to the throne of God.
We as a people have benefitted from your presence
as the Holy Father.  We continue to pray for you,
the Church, and the peoples of the world, whose lives
you have so deeply touched over the years.

(Reuters photo April 8, 2005)

Encased in a simple cypress coffin with his insignia
etched in the lid - a cross with "M" for the Virgin Mary -
John Paul II's remains were brought into St. Peter's Square
at 10 a.m. local time for the last time, as world and religious
leaders from over 80 countries along with 5 kings and queens
and 300,000+ mourners filled the Square for the funeral of
the Holy Father and for a final farewell on 8 April 2005.
After the funeral, the remains of the Holy Father was
returned to the Basilica of St. Peter where he was
laid to rest in the empty tomb of Blessed Pope John XXIII
next to the Tomb of St. Peter in the sacred Vatican Grottoes
beneath the Basilica.  Unlike tradition, according to his wishes
to be buried "in the bare ground", he was buried in a burial chamber
beneath the floor and not in the traditional above-ground tomb.

May Your Holiness rest in peace.

John Paul II was laid to rest and is one of the few pontiffs that are
buried "in the bare ground", as per his wishes, in the crypt in the
Vatican Grottoes left vacant by the Blessed John XXIII
when he was beatified in 2001 and moved to St. Jeromes' Altar
on the main floor of St. Peter's Basilica.  The Grottoes were
re-opened on Wednesday, 13 April 2005 for public viewing.
The lines are very long and you are not allowed to stay at the crypt
and reflect.  It is hoped that over time this will change.

John Paul II's crypt is near the Tomb of St. Peter.  For a wonderful
map of the Vatican Grottoes, as well as many other fascinating items and
pictures on St. Peter's Basilica, please visit Alan Howard's web site
called St. Peter's Basilica, listed on my Links page.

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