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Vatican City,
13th April 2005 (CNA)
- Early this morning, the Vatican reopened
the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica for the
first time since the death of Pope John Paul II.
Thousands of pilgrims lined up as early as
4 a.m. to enter the grottoes and pay their
respects at the pope’s simple white, marble
tomb.
Last night, before the tomb was opened to
the public, many of the cardinals who will enter
the conclave to elect John Paul’s successor on
Monday, spent time in prayer before the grave.
Many faithful came bearing rosaries, holy
medals and flowers, which ushers touched to the
tomb for them.
The tomb itself sits in an alcove to the
side of the main altar of the central nave, just a
short distance from the tomb of St. Peter—the
Church’s first pope.
A slab of white marble marks the Holy
Father’s resting place marked with IONNES PAULUS
PPII, and the dates of his 26-year long
pontificate written in Roman numerals: 16 X,
1978-2 IV, 2005.
Behind the tomb are a lily and a red candle
which burns beneath a painting of the Virgin
Mary.
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