Pilgrims flock to Rome for anniversary of Pope's death

[Semper_Fi_1]

Pilgrims flock to Rome for anniversary of Pope’s death

Vatican, Mar. 31 (CWNews.com) - As many as 100,000 pilgrims are expected at the Vatican this weekend to mark the first anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II (bio - news).

One year ago, thousands of the faithful gathered spontaneously in St. Peter’s Square for a prayer vigil to accompany their beloved Pontiff during the final hours of his life, and many thousands more arrived to pay homage after his death on April 2, 2005.

This year, an estimated 15,000 Polish pilgrims are making the trip to Rome for the anniversary observances. But a much larger crowd, mostly Italian, is expected to gather at the Vatican. The Holy See has enlisted the assistance of Roman police with crowd-control and security measures to accommodate the expected throng.

Although many different observances are planned, in Rome and around the world, the focal point will be the prayer vigil organized in St. Peter’s Square on April 2, with Cardinal Camillo Ruini (bio - news)leading the Rosary and texts from the late Pontiff used as meditations. At 9:37 in the evening-- the time of the Pope’s death one year ago-- Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) will speak. The next day, the Pope will preside at a memorial Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

Holy Father John Paul II, pray for us to the Lord our God.

 

[TarAshly]

I still miss him so so much, i cried my eyes out Saturday, watching CNN’s special they did on him. He was the whole reason I converted, he was so amazing, so charasmatic that I wanted to be a part of anything he stood for, and that lead me to the Catholic Church. One man they were interviewing said that the day he died, so many people felt orphaned, and it just took my breath away, that was exactly how I felt. I was at my parents home when he died, and though they were there right next to me, along with my husband, i felt alone, frightened, horribly sad and completely orphaned. I have comfort in my heart now though, he is watching over us and guiding us and up there in Heaven as our liason to Christ, what more comforting thought is there. He is at peace, he is ill no more and he is being cradled in the arms of our Holy Mother whom he loved so much. I only wish I could have seen him, just once in my life, I wish. But i can’t wait for him to be sainted, that will truly be a day of joyus celebration.

Pray for us Holy Father, John Paul the Second.