Pope Jean Paul II Passes Away, the Catholic World Grieves

Following a series of contradictory statements issued in the past few days, the Vatican announced that the Pope passed away at 9:37 p.m. last night. Private television stations in Italy called audiences to one -minute of prayer, while flags were lowered to half- mast. Despite the Italian media having announced that the Pope had died Friday (April 1), the Vatican had declared that while his condition was serious; he was however, conscious. The Pope had led the church for 26 years. While the Catholic world has gone into mourning following his death, the question of who will be Pope Jean Paul II’s successor has started to occupy the agenda.

The official mourning period for the Pope will be nine days. The deceased Pope’s ring and seal will be destroyed because they are used to seal and authenticate papal documents. The polish Pope will be buried either on Wednesday at the earliest or by Friday at the latest. He is expected to be buried inside Saint Petrus Basilika. Following the funeral, an assembly composed of cardinals will convene in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope. Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, a member of the committee that will elect the new Pope said: "Another Jean Paul cannot be elected." Sources close to the Vatican spoke to the French Press Agency and stated that it is quite possibile that a religious cleric of Italian origin will be elected as the new pope. Pope Jean Paul II’s health had been suffering since the beginning of 1990s. On February 24th of this year, he underwent an operation to address respiratory problems and had since been breathing with the assistance of a small tube inserted into his wind-pipe. Since this operation, the Pope had reportedly lost 19 kilos.

Millions Pray

The death of the Pope sent the Catholic world into mourning. While on his deathbed, millions of people had been praying for the Pope,s recovery. . After his death was declared with the gonging of bells from the churches of Rome, all flags in Italy were lowered to half-mast. All football matches due to be played in Italy over the weekend have been cancelled. The US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair extended messages of condolence. While Bush said: "The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home.", Blair expressed : "The world has lost a religious leader who was revered across people of all faiths and none. He was an inspiration, a man of extraordinary faith, dignity and courage."