With the Holy Father's apartment window shutters closed, the mass for the repose of the soul of Pope John Paul II has begun in St. Peter's Square. Several tens of thousands are gathered in and around the piazza to join the world in prayer for the Pope. Presider Cardinal Angelo Sodano will lead the world in today's mass that will celebrate the life of Pope John Paul II.
As today, Sunday, officially marks the start of the period of nine days of mourning known as novemdiales, the Pope Blog is reflecting this with a ceremonial black border.
Being that this is now a time of sede vacante when the Church and the Vatican are without a Pope, the Web site of the Holy See has replaced the usual Vatican coat-of-arms (crossed keys with papal miter) with that which is used for the Vacancy of the Apostolic See (crossed keys with pavilion). The Vatican has also put up an interactive tribute to Pope John Paul II's Pontificate.
4 comments:
If I may be so bold and ask: Are you going to keep this blog going for the next Pope? I think you should, just as John Paul II is a successor from St. Peter, our next pope will be also and it would be fitting that your blog focus on the next Pope. Thanks for all the great info in your blog. God bless.
I have been following your coverage of the Holy Father's passing, and I am very impressed with the informative and consistent coverage you have been providing.
May the Holy Spirit continue you to guide you and the good work you are doing!
Kevin D. Dello Iacono
Manager, Catholic Apologetics of America (blog)
http://catholicapologeticsofamerica.blogspot.com
Eric, yes indeed, this blog will continue to report news of the next several weeks of sede vacante and the conclave and of course, we will still be here to report the news of the next Papacy. After all, Pietro non muore.
And Kevin, thank you for your kind words. It is because of readers such as yourself that Andy and I feel a sense of duty to maintain diligence in keeping the news on this blog fully up-to-date.
How is it that those who opposed his social conservatism are moved to tears?
How is it that Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu...to name but a few...are each moved by his passing?
As a mystic, he wielded great shakti...that's how....a
spiritual power which melts division, typified the mind, and appeals to unity, characterized by the heart.
When a cloud bursts all are drenched.
Give our love to Pio and Teresa, JPII.
And may we all aspire to the Via Mystica.
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