Pope's heart could go to Poland

2005-04-03 21:55

Warsaw - The possibility of Pope John Paul II's heart being laid to rest along side Polish kings in his beloved home city of Krakow was raised by Polish media on Sunday, less than 24-hours after the pope's death.

The pontiff wished that his heart be laid to rest in Krakow's Wawel Royal Cathedral, alongside the tombs of Polish kings, national poets and noble churchmen, the influential daily Gazeta Wyborcza reported.

"We know that Krakow dignitaries have been discreetly discussing the topic with the pontiff's personal secretary Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz for some time now," the Gazeta reported.

"From one source we have learned that the Vatican has agreed for the heart to be brought to the Wawel Cathedral," it added.

Gazeta reported the ceremonies surrounding the internment of the Pope's heart in Krakow could take place shortly after the pontiff's Vatican funeral, planned for the middle of next week.

Karol Wojtyla served as cardinal in the picturesque mediaeval city of Krakow until his election as pontiff in 1978 and is still remembered by many of the city's older residents who knew him personally from his time as a priest and bishop. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA