Pope's Funeral Mass Celebrated by Cardinal Ratzinger

Over 100,000 pilgrims gathered in and around la Piazza di San Pietro for the funeral mass for Pope John Paul II. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, dean of the College of Cardinals presided. During his homily in honor of the Holy Father, Cardinal Ratzinger recalled the life and vocation of Karol Wojtyla. Some of my favorite passages from the homily follow:

-- "The Holy Father was a priest right to the very end, because he gave his life to God, to the flock, to all humankind.... He did this with the presence of Christ."

-- "In communion with the suffering Lord, tirelessly and with increasing intensity, he proclaimed the Gospel."

-- "None of us can ever forget how on that last Easter Sunday of his life the Holy Father, marked by suffering, he once more to the window of the Apostalic Palace and one last time gave his blessing to the world. We can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window at the Father's House and he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us Holy Father; we entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother who guided you each day and who will guide you now into the eternal glory of Her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!"