62 leaders to attend beatification of John Paul II‎ in Rome

62 leaders to attend beatification of John Paul II‎ in Rome

2011-04-29 03:43:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME (BNO NEWS) -- Sixty-two foreign leaders and monarchs are expected to attend the beatification of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican on Sunday, ANSA news agency reported.

Among the European royalty who will travel to the Vatican are King Albert and Queen Paola of Belgium, while the Duke of Gloucester, Richard Windsor, will represent the British royal family. Premier Francois Fillon, who will represent the French government, and the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, will also be at the beatification which will begin on Saturday with a vigil at Circus Maximus.

Security will be particularly tight in Rome when the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, arrives on an official flight on Saturday. Police and city officials are taking extra security measures since around one million pilgrims are expected to gather at Rome.

"For the beatification of Pope Wojtyla there will be large crowds as well as heads of state and government leaders which always increases the terrorism risks," Italian police chief, Antonio Manganelli, said. "Of course surveillance, intelligence, investigation and civil protection of personnel and sites will be adequate."

In addition, more than 2,200 journalists are also expected to attend the beatification ceremony that will culminate in a special mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square on Sunday. There will also be around 300 medical volunteers and 23 ambulances to assist the attendees.

Pope John Paul II died at the age of 84 on April 2, 2005, after a long battle against Parkinson's disease and other ailments. Beatification is the final step to sainthood.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-29