Vatican sets funeral date
04/04/2005 13:22  - (SA)  

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Pope John Paul II lies in state in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican. (Italian Presidency, Enrico Oliverio, AP)

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Vatican City - Pope John Paul II's funeral will be held on Friday morning, a Vatican official told reporters after Monday's meeting of the College of Cardinals to decide on arrangements for the late pontiff.

Archbishop Josef Clemens, secretary of the Vatican office for lay people, said the rites would be held Friday in St Peter's Square. Clemens, the former secretary to top Vatican cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, also said not all the cardinal electors had arrived in Rome in time to attend Monday's first session.

Asked about the atmosphere among the cardinals, he said: "Sad, but hopeful."

Under Vatican tradition, Friday is the latest the funeral can be held. Up to two million pilgrims are expected to converge on Rome for the service.

"It will a moment without precedent," Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said in an interview on Monday with Repubblica Radio.

"Rome will grind to a halt to guarantee the full development of the demonstration of love for the pontificate, guaranteeing the maximum security for all the heads of state who will arrive to pay homage to the pope," he said.

The pope has been lying in state in Clementine Hall at the Vatican. His body will be moved on Monday to the Basilica, which has pledged to extend its opening hours, until the funeral.

Friday's Requiem Mass for Pope John Paul II will commence at 10am on Friday morning.