The Tomb of Pope John Paul II

[Cybophonia]

Why are priests conducting prayers over Pope John II tomb and using it as an altar as it appears from the videos ? Why do they celebrate ceremonies, services and rituals over his tomb? He is not even beatificated yet. Do they practice this with other deceased popes also? There seems to have been placed a video camera over his tomb and apparently priests visit the tomb daily between 7-9 am Vatican time and perform services and do prayers at his tomb. Also there are some strange captures on the video such as a body of light wondering around the tomb. Why did they do that and why a video recording of his tomb?

 

[landon13]

Pope John Paul II is beatified and is on his way to canonization. He is very greatly revered so they hold services over his tomb. In ancient times, they would celebrate services in the catacombs or on the tomb of saints and martyrs to remember them.

 

[Theophorus]

Pope John Paul II is beatified and is on his way to canonization. He is very greatly revered so they hold services over his tomb. In ancient times, they would celebrate services in the catacombs or on the tomb of saints and martyrs to remember them.

Exactly, it is allowed to seek his intercession and to ask for it publicly in the diocese of Rome. That Mass is celebrated ovr his tomb in this was is an ancient practice.

 

[Offdoodykcrn]

Apparently, he was beatified in May 2011. I was more surprised to learn of the unprecedented act of what seems to be the demoting another pontiff. They exhumed the body of Pope Innocent XI - who was moved further into the basilica, in order to move JP II into that space, which is next to Michelangelo’s statue of Pieta. There is a webcam of the tomb - although at the moment it’s dark. I haven’t seen any of the other activities reported in the OP, but I agree - it’s odd.

 

[Alfonsus]

Actually priests may go to the Basilica and celebrate Mass on any altar they choose within the Basilica, with the exception of course, the altar reserved for the Pope over the Confessio of St. Peter and Altar of the Chair where higher prelate usually celebrate.
Moving relics are common practice. And I do believe, cctv cameras are everywhere within the Basilica, not only in that place.

 

[The_Scott]

I once saw a video on Youtube that “proved” that we were trying to resurrect Blessed Pope John Paul II with these prayers.

 

[Suslar]

I have a priest friend studying Canon Law in Rome and when we went to visit for the canonization of St. Fr. Louis Guanella (founder of my sister the Sister’s order) in late Oct 2011, the friend was able to get permission to say Mass on JPII’s altar/tomb and give my daughter her 1st Holy Communion in front of that sacred place. It was amazing!

As said earlier, priests may say Mass at any of the many altars throughout the Basilica (except one) and there is a scheduling process so they know when they have access.

JPII’s tomb was moved to accommodate the crowds of people who come to visit. His is the first altar just to the right of the main doors.