Pope John Paul II‎'s coffin removed for beatification

Pope John Paul II‎'s coffin removed for beatification

2011-04-29 23:43:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

VATICAN CITY (BNO NEWS) -- The coffin of Pope John Paul II‎ on Friday was removed from the underground crypt and transferred to St Peter's Basilica for his beatification on Sunday.

According to ANSA news agency, the coffin of the late Pope was removed from the marble tomb in at St Peter's Basilica. Workers moved the coffin, draped in a white and gold cloth, while ecclesiastics prayed on its side.

After Sunday's beatification ceremony, the remains of Pope John Paul II will be transferred to the to the Altar of Confession in the basilica so the thousands of pilgrims that traveled to Vatican City will be able to venerate it.

Next Monday, the coffin will be moved to the Saint Sebastian chapel, near the front of the church. The tombstone that covered the Pope's grave will be later sent to Krakow, in John Paul II‎'s Poland.

An estimated 62 foreign leaders and monarchs are expected to attend the beatification of Pope John Paul II which will begin on Saturday with a vigil at Circus Maximus. One million pilgrims are expected to visit Vatican City over the weekend.

In addition, more than 2,200 journalists from 100 countries 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.

Italian Police will deploy surveillance, intelligence, investigation and civil protection personnel to ensure security during the beatification ceremony. Police chief, Antonio Manganelli, said that extra security measures will be taken to avoid terrorism risks.

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.

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