The Funeral of Pope John Paul II

 
"The death of John Paul II has evoked a remarkable outpouring of affection from around the world and brought an estimated 4 million people to Rome, in one of the largest gatherings in the West in modern times." (Associated Press)

"The world looked on Rome as leaders from more than 100 nations and a multitude of mourners gathered for the Pope's funeral." (AFP)

"Cardinals, in red, bishops and dignitaries attend Pope's funeral in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Friday April 8, 2005. Tens of thousands of people jammed St. Peter's Square to say a final farewell to Pope John Paul II in the presence of kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers." (AP)

"At least 300,000 people filled St. Peter's Square and spilled out onto the wide Via della Conciliazione leading toward the Tiber River, but millions of others watched on giant video screens set up across Rome." (Associated Press)

"Presidents, prime ministers and kings joined pilgrims and prelates in St. Peter's Square on Friday to bid an emotional farewell to Pope John Paul II at a funeral service that drew millions to Rome for the largest gathering of the powerful and the humble in modern times. Applause rang out in the wind-whipped square as John Paul's plain cypress coffin, adorned with a cross and an "M" for the Virgin Mary, was brought out from St. Peter's Basilica and placed on a carpet in front of the altar. The book of the Gospel was placed on the coffin and the wind lifted the pages. After the Mass ended, bells tolled and 12 pallbearers with white gloves, white ties and tails presented the coffin to the crowd one last time, and then carried it on their shoulders back inside the basilica for burial--again to sustained applause from the hundreds of thousands in the square, including dignitaries from 138 countries." (Associated Press)

"President George W. Bush...said the funeral service for the late Pope John Paul II helped reaffirm his personal faith, and lauded the pontiff's 'strong' legacy." (AFP)

"Never before has an American president attended a papal funeral, a signal of how much relations between the United States and the Vatican have evolved since Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II in 1978. Some presidential critics are quick to see Mr. Bush's trip as yet another political appeal to religious conservatives in America." (The Christian Science Monitor)

"Israeli President Moshe Katsav said he shook hands with the leaders of Syria and Iran at Pope John Paul's funeral on Friday, when the Pontiff in death brought together Middle East foes as no man alive ever had." (Reuters)