Pope John Paul II’s funeral has begun as tens of thousands of people jammed into the main boulevard to St Peter’s Square in the early hours of the morning. Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers and Presidents came together in what has become one of the largest Christian gatherings seen in the western world in modern times.
A huge spontaneous round of applause greeted the body of Pope John Paul II as it was brought out of St. Peter's Basilica in a simple wooden coffin and brought before tens of thousands gathered for his funeral mass in St. Peter's Square.
A sea of red and white flags filled the boulevard as a tribute to the Polish Pope began. Vatican ushers, who were dressed in white tie and tails seated the attending dignitaries who were given one final opportunity to view the Pope’s body before it was carried out of St Peter’s Basilica into the main Square.
The funeral was celebrated by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the dean of the College of Cardinals and one of John Paul’s closest aides.
A series of hymns were sung, followed by readings and the homily, and Ratzinger called all to pray saying, "Dear brothers and sisters let us entrust to the most gentle mercy of God, the soul of our Pope John Paul II. ... May the Blessed Virgin Mary ... intercede with God so that he might show the face of his blessed Son to our pope, and console the church with the light of the resurrection."
The Mass will end with all standing and together saying, "May the angels accompany you into heaven, may the martyrs welcome you when you arrive, and lead you to Holy Jerusalem."
Rome officials had closed down all traffic routes into St Peter’s Square just after Midnight on Thursday. In addition all airspace was closed and anti-aircraft batteries were on alert outside the city. Top security for the event also saw naval ships patrol both the Mediterranean coast and the Tiber River close to the Vatican.
Since the death of Pope John Paul II last Saturday, a huge wave of emotions has engulfed the Vatican, Catholic communities, and even reached out to other faith groups and non-believers. Today an estimated 4 million people were gathered in Rome, many only with the hope of seeing the ceremony on the giant screens erected around the Vatican.
The Mass lasts 2 ½ hours and will conclude with the body of John Paul being carried deep under St Peter’s Basilica to join the Popes throughout the ages near the tomb of apostle Peter – the very first Pope.
Pope John Paul II was the most widely travelled Pontiff in Vatican history. Now, millions have travelled from all over the world to honour his life and legacy.
