Rome will have many visitors
The Beatification of Pope John Paul II will be visiting Rome from 30th of April until 2nd of May. About two and a half million of people are expected in Rome for the beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1, 2011 to witness his progress towards sainthood. The ceremony in St. Peter’s Square is expected to be one of the biggest media events of the new century.It will take two miracles for Pope John Paul II to become a saint. Last month when his successor, Benedict XVI, approved a decree attributing a miracle to hi, John Paul II moved a step closer to sainthood. It concerned a French nun diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the nun said that after she and her fellow nuns prayed to him, her illness had disappeared.
Italian Capital will have many visitors these 3 days, even before the beatification, with up to 3 million thought likely to be in Rome, the city’s resources will be seriously strained. The last event of this magnitude was John Paul II’s funeral in April 2005 when, according to the Italian department of civil protection, more than 3 million people were present.
30th of April from 8pm to 10.30pm in the Circus Maximus a prayer vigil will be led by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the Vicar for Rome diocese, while Pope Benedict XVI will participate by a video link.
On 1st of May the beatification ceremony, led by Pope Benedict XVI, will begin at 10am in St. Peter’s Square. The remains of Blessed John Paul II will be exposed for veneration in St. Peter’s basilica, in front of the Altar of Confession. the access to the square will be regulated by the police.
Second of May the Vatican Secretary of State, will preside at a Mass of thanksgiving in St. Peter’s Square. And finally in the Vatican basilica: will be re-interred the remains of Blessed John Paul II. The Vatican has indicated that this ceremony will be held privately.
