The Tomb of John Paul II - Vatican Grottoes

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The Tomb of John Paul II
Vatican Grottoes

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The Tomb of Pope John Paul II, who's funeral was held on April 8, 2005, is on the north side of the Grottoes, less than 100 ft from the Tomb of St. Peter. John Paul II was interred in an area that had held the sarcophagus of Pope John XXIII. After being declared Blessed in 2000, John XXIII's body was transferred up to the St. Jerome Altar in the basilica on June 3, 2001.

John Paul II was laid to rest in a cypress coffin, which served as the innermost of the three traditional coffins. This was placed into a larger solid zinc casket, which was soldered shut. This coffin was adorned with three bronze plaques: a simple cross at the head of the coffin, a middle plaque with the Pope's name and the length of his life and pontificate, and a third with Pope John Paul II's personal coat of arms at the foot. The zinc casket was finally lowered into a larger walnut (traditionally elm) casket, bearing three identical plaques, which was shut with nails of pure gold.

This webcam at the Vatican State website shows the Tomb of
Pope John Paul II.

A Vatican Guard kneels before the tomb of John Paul II

Pope John Paul II, June 3, 1993, at the tomb of John XXIII, which was later to become his own crypt

Pope at his future
tomb site

Visitation of the Body of John Paul II

Blessing of the body of John Paul II

Body of John Paul II

Funeral Procession, South of St Peter's, Before entering Grottoe Exit

Procession before entering Grottoes

John Paul II
lies In State

The Burial and Final Blessing of Pope John Paul II

John Paul II
burial and blessing

John XXIII
Previous Occupant
by ButchokoyD

The middle plaques bear the following statement in Latin:
CORPUS IOANNIS PAULI II P.M.
VIXIT ANNOS LXXXIV MENSES X DIES XV
ECCLESIAE UNIVERSAE PRAEFUIT
ANNOS XXVI MENSES V DIES XVII

English Translation:
Body of John Paul II, Supreme Pontiff
He lived 84 years, 10 months, 15 days
He presided over the Universal Church
26 years, 5 months, 17 days

Along with the body was a sealed document, the Rogito, a eulogy detailing the life and works of Pope John Paul II, read by Archbishop Marini. Three bags containing gold, silver, and copper coins were placed beside the body. Each bag contained one coin for each year in Pope John Paul II's reign.

The triple coffin which was lowered into the tomb, is covered with a plain marble slab featuring his name in Latin, and the dates of his pontificate.
IOANNES PAULUS PP.II
16 X 1978 * 2 IV 2005
Pope John Paul II asked that his burial be like that of Pope Paul VI, not in an elaborate sarcophagus and ornate aboveground tomb, but in "bare earth".

Vatican Grottoes facing East - Prayer before the tomb of John Paul II

Pilgrims pray in front of the
Tomb of John Paul II

Tomb of John Paul II in the Vatican Grottoes

Tomb of John Paul II

Vatican Guard places a rosary
on the tomb of John Paul II

Grottoes Area before the Tomb of John Paul II

PRAYER FOR ASKING GRACES THROUGH
THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD
POPE JOHN PAUL II

O Blessed Trinity
We thank You for having graced the Church
with Pope John Paul II
and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care,
the glory of the cross of Christ,
and the splendor of the Holy Spirit,
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd,
and has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life
and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will,
the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered
among your saints.
Amen.

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