Death of St. John Paul II

Before Holy Week, Pope Saint John Paul II was convalescing at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. During those days, a large crowd gathered outside waiting for news, praying, and supporting the Holy Father. Whenever the doctors permitted, the Pope appeared at the window to greet and bless everyone.

During Holy Week, Saint John Paul II returned to the Vatican. On Easter Sunday, he wished to give the *Urbi et Orbi* blessing from the window where he prayed the Angelus on Sundays. His weakened voice could barely be heard. He had to withdraw after an intense gesture of physical pain that moved the hearts of all. The Pope was suffering, and his pain offered to God reached heaven as a profound blessing for the Church.

From Wednesday, March 30, the condition of Saint John Paul II was critical. On Friday, April 1, the situation deteriorated sharply. Across the world, people watched with grief as the end drew near. The reaction in Italy was extraordinary: television programming was dedicated entirely to the Pope. The President of the Chamber of Deputies adjourned the parliamentary session and announced a Rosary attended by numerous political figures to pray for the Pope. Sporting events were postponed.

In Rome, crowds flocked to Saint Peter's Square to pray. By 8:00 p.m., about 50,000 people stood praying in silence, looking up toward the Pope's apartments. Only the sound of the fountains could be heard. Many carried lit candles and portraits of Saint John Paul II.

Around 9:00 p.m., the Pope's Vicar for the City of Rome began reciting the Rosary, introducing it with these words: "When a father is ill, his children gather around his bed to accompany him." When the Rosary ended, no one moved. Profound silence. An occasional hymn. Around 10:00 p.m., loudspeakers encouraged the faithful to continue praying privately, and another Rosary was announced for midnight. Most of those present in the square were young people.

Meanwhile, the Pope was conscious and aware of what was happening in the square below. With great difficulty, he whispered words referring to the youth: "I have sought you out; now you have come to accompany me, and for that I thank you."

News reports indicated that the Pope was failing. Cardinal Deskur stated that Saint John Paul II was "fading away serenely." The Vatican spokesman gave regular briefings. During one of them, he could barely finish speaking due to tears, deeply touching everyone.

Saint Peter's Square was filled with vast crowds and continuous Rosaries. By nightfall, some 100,000 people were present. Loudspeakers announced another Rosary for midnight. Suddenly, lights flickered in the papal apartments. Anxiety spread; something was happening. Over the microphone, more prayers were requested, and Hail Marys were recited one after another without announcing mysteries. Then came the Gloria, and an archbishop appeared, announcing: "At 9:37 p.m., the Holy Father returned to the house of the Father."

A reverent silence fell across Saint Peter's Square as the entire crowd knelt. The Salve Regina was sung. Prayers, tears, and silence. Another Rosary began. The square filled more and more. The news spread instantly across the world, prompting universal grief for the loss of a beloved father.

How were the Pope's final moments? Shortly before dying, he raised his right hand in a blessing toward the window overlooking the square. Moments later, he whispered "Amen" and expired.

In the morning, Holy Mass was celebrated in Saint Peter's Square with profound piety. At the end, the prepared text for the Regina Caeli address was read aloud. Photographs of Saint John Paul II appeared on giant screens, met with sustained applause from the crowd.

That same Sunday, Rome was filled with posters expressing gratitude to Saint John Paul II. Above the Pope's photograph, the poster read: "Thank you." Beneath it was inscribed: "Rome weeps and salutes her Pope."

By Sunday evening, the atmosphere in the square had grown calm and serene. The crowds continued to grow, many reciting the Rosary together, led periodically over the loudspeakers.

Following his death, the Pope's body was transferred to the Clementine Hall, where dignitaries, priests, and the families of Vatican employees could pay their respects. Despite restricted access, lines lasted several hours.

Saint John Paul II was vested in a red chasuble, holding a large rosary in his hands. His face appeared slightly thinner, marked by his final sufferings, but radiating peace and serenity as throughout his life.

On Monday at 5:00 p.m., his body was carried on shoulders into Saint Peter's Basilica. As the procession crossed part of the square, continuous applause accompanied the cortege. Placed before the papal baldachin, the basilica doors opened, and the public queue began to move at 9:00 p.m.

The crowds were immense. Initially only Romans, then Italians, and soon waves of pilgrims from Poland, Spain, Ireland, across Europe, and even other continents. Those joining the line early Tuesday morning waited a couple of hours; by Wednesday morning, the line had grown, requiring four hours. The queue moved steadily, but arrivals far outnumbered departures. Waiting times reached eight, twelve, even fifteen hours—all to spend ten seconds before the Pope, to bid him farewell, give thanks, and pray. Countless Rosaries were recited.

Praying and singing filled the waiting hours. Passing by the obelisk in the square, many left flowers, poems, candles, and photographs. Inside the basilica, reverence deepened to the sound of sacred music and litanies. Approaching the catafalque, the line divided in two, allowing pilgrims to view the Pope from either side before exiting. It is estimated that more than two million people stood in line; the last was a two-year-old boy named Nicolò.

During those days, thousands received the sacrament of penance. On Thursday, April 7, a prayer vigil and a procession with the World Youth Day cross took place. The funeral was celebrated the next day in Saint Peter's Square.

Roman authorities took extraordinary measures to assist pilgrims and avoid traffic gridlock. More than twenty giant screens were installed in major open squares. Romans were encouraged to welcome pilgrims into their homes, private vehicle traffic was banned, and schools and offices closed.

Shortly before the funeral, the casket was sealed inside the basilica. Saint John Paul II was then carried in procession to the square and placed upon a simple carpet before the altar. The city was quiet as millions followed the ceremony on television or public screens.

A gentle breeze turned the pages of the Book of the Gospels resting open on the coffin. At the conclusion of Mass, the wind closed the book. The pallbearers lifted the casket and carried it into the basilica amid unending applause. Just before crossing the threshold, they turned to present Saint John Paul II one final time to the world. A million faithful stood in tears, silence, and prayer.