600,000 a Day Stream Past Pope John Paul’s Body as Millions Gather for Rome Funeral

Roman Catholic Cardinals resumed meetings on Wednesday morning to make final arrangements for Pope John Paul II’s entombment. Until now the spiritual testament of the late Pope remains sealed, and over a million pilgrims are thought to have filled Rome to witness the funeral on Friday morning.

The reading of Pope John Paul’s last writings may be read during Wednesday’s meeting between the Cardinals, although many have commented that it is unlikely to influence the choice of the 117 Cardinals that have been given then job of electing the new Pope to lead the worldwide Roman Catholic Church of more than 1 billion followers.

Many think that the spiritual testament of the Pope could reveal the identity of the secret Cardinal that John Paul said that he named in 2003, but held "in pectore" (in the heart). This process is often used when the pope wants to appoint a cardinal in a country where the church is oppressed.

It has been announced that bells will be used in addition to white smoke to proclaim that a Pope has been chosen. In addition the Cardinals will have access to the whole Vatican in the Conclave process rather than just the Sistine Chapel.

Still a date has not been finalised for the Conclave to commence – although it must begin between 15-20 days after the Pope’s death.

Authorities have said that approximately 600,000 people a day are streaming past the body of Pope John Paul in an almost round-the-clock procession.

However, the city of Rome is expected to get much more packed as 2 million Poles are expected to arrive for Friday’s funeral of the Polish-born John Paul.

The faithful supporters of Pope John Paul were standing in line for more than 12 hours in a mile-long queue early on Wednesday morning, and the huge influx of people has meant the Italian police authorities have had to bring extra police to the country’s capital city.

A huge VIP contingent will gather in Rome in Friday for the funeral, and will include British Prime Minister Tony Blair, as well as former US President’s Bush and Clinton among other world leaders and Royalty that have confirmed their attendance.