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Skriven 2005-04-10 12:00:15 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45.0)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Special Editions
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Hello All.
          Vatican Information Service
             HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE
             V.I.S.    VIS internet

      06.IV.2005
      Fifteenth Year  - N.65

      SUMMARY:

      - CONCLAVE TO START AFTERNOON OF APRIL 18
      - A MILLION PEOPLE VIEW POPE FROM MONDAY TO TUESDAY EVENING
      - VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL CLOSED TO PUBLIC
      - YOUNG PEOPLE TO HOLD PRAYER VIGIL FOR JOHN PAUL II APRIL 7

      ___________________________________________________________

++   CONCLAVE TO START AFTERNOON OF APRIL 18


      VATICAN CITY, APR 6, 2005 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director
Joaquin  Navarro-Valls gave a briefing early this afternoon on the fourth
General Congregation of cardinals that was held this morning in the Vatican,
during which he announced that the conclave to elect the successor of John
Paul II will start the afternoon of Monday, April 18.

   He said that "the Fourth General Congregations of Cardinals
was held this morning in the New Synod Hall in the Vatican,
beginning at 10 a.m.

   "There were 116 cardinals present, 31 of whom are newly
arrived, who swore their prescribed oath. The number of  cardinals
present in Rome at this moment is 122.

   "In today's general congregation the cardinals were informed
of both the official delegations coming from throughout the world
for the funeral of the Holy Father on Friday morning, and the
delegations from diverse Christian denominations and from other
religions.

   "The cardinals also considered several particular questions
relative to the funeral Mass of the Holy Father and the celebrations
of the 'novendiali', (nine official days of mourning with a Mass
each day for the Holy Father) in particular for the 'cappelle
papali' of Saturday, April 9, Tuesday, April 12 and Saturday, April
16.

   "Also taken into consideration was the request made by many
parties to bring the remains of the Holy Father - on Friday, April
8, following the funeral Mass but before burial - to St. John
Lateran Basilica to allow for veneration by the Roman faithful and
others who were unable to come to St. Peter's Basilica. After
attentively studying the matter it was concluded that this
hypothesis was not technically possible. Therefore, as
pre-announced, the burial in the Vatican Grottoes will take place
immediately after the funeral Mass.

   "The Will of the Holy Father was read and it was decided to
publish it in its entirety tomorrow in the original Polish language
and in an Italian translation.

   "The date for the start of the conclave was set for Monday,
April 18. In the morning there will be the votive Mass 'pro eligendo
papa' in the Vatican Basilica. In early afternoon the cardinals will
enter into conclave in the Sistine Chapel.

   "I can confirm that the Holy Father John Paul II, before his
death, did not communicate the name of the cardinal reserved 'in
pectore' in the consistory of October 2003. Therefore, this is no
longer a question."

   Journalists asked if it would be possible for them to see
the Sistine Chapel before the start of the conclave and
Navarro-Valls responded by noting that, as there are 3,500
accredited journalists, this would be logistically impossible. He
said that a video would be shown to them, featuring all the sites in
the Vatican associated with a conclave. OP/CONCLAVE:PAPAL
WILL/NAVARRO-VALLS  VIS 050406 (470)

++   A MILLION PEOPLE VIEW POPE FROM MONDAY TO TUESDAY EVENING

      VATICAN CITY, APR 6, 2005 (VIS) - According to a communiqué
released by the Italian Civil Protection Department, and by the
local and police authorities of the city of Rome, from Monday
evening to Tuesday evening, one million people passed through St
Peter's Basilica to pay their homage to the mortal remains of John
Paul II. At least 600,000 people are expected today. Every hour
between 15,000 and 18,000 faithful file in front of the Holy
Father's body. .../PILGRIMS HOMAGE POPE/...            VIS 050406
(90)

++   VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL CLOSED TO PUBLIC

      VATICAN CITY, APR 6, 2005 (VIS) - According to a communique
made public yes
terday afternoon, on Friday April 8 for the funeral
of John Paul II, the Vatican Museums will remain closed to the
public. From Thursday April 7, to the end of the conclave, the
Sistine Chapel will also be closed to the public. Furthermore, all
guided tours of the Vatican Gardens are suspended.
.../MUSEUM:SISTINE CHAPEL/...       VIS 050406 (80)

++   YOUNG PEOPLE TO HOLD PRAYER VIGIL FOR JOHN PAUL II APRIL 7

      VATICAN CITY, APR 6, 2005 (VIS) - On Thursday April 7 at 9
p.m., the vigil of John Paul II's funeral, young people are invited
to a prayer vigil at St. John Lateran Basilica, the cathedral church
of the Holy Father, the bishop of Rome. Following the vigil a silent
candelight procession, led by the cross of World Youth Day, will
proceed through the streets of Rome to the Circus Maximus.

   All young people living in Rome and those who have come from
throughout the world to pay their final respects to John Paul II and
attend the funeral are invited. Held on the theme "Be not afraid,"
the vigil will be presided over by Msgr. Giuseppe Betori, secretary
general of the Italian Episcopal Conference. The prayers for John
Paul II will commemorate the moments lived with him during World
Youth Days, a celebration he established 20 years ago.

   St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Agnese in Piazza
Navona will remain open until midnight on Thursday for pilgrims who
wish to pray and to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. That
same evening there will also be a prayer vigil for young people at
St. Agnese. .../PRAYER VIGIL:YOUTH/...      VIS 050406 (210)


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