Unprecedented Crowds Pay Homage To Pope

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30151, 7 June 1963, Page 11

Unprecedented Crowds Pay Homage To Pope

(A Z Press .Isaucwtlon—- » ' VATICAN CITY, June 6.

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world today filed silentlv through St. Peter’s Basilica to pay their final homage to Pope John. Nearh a million people are expected to have pissed by the Pope’s both- by the time the Basilica is closed to the public late this afternoon—--33 hours after it was ojiened yesterday, the British United Press reported.

The Pope will be buried tonight. St. Pater’s remained open through last night to enable as many people as possible to have a last glimpse of the 'Pope of the People ’ Pilgrims from al) parts it Italy joined Romans and foreigners walking slowly through St Pe’er's Sauare and into the great church The Associated Press sad there had been nothing like it in living memory

Many workmen sacrificed their sleep to stand tn line for a last took at the poor farmer’s son who became one of -he most beloved Roman Catholic rulers tn history Mothers led children by the hand or snuffled up the broad basilica stairs with sleeping infants .n their arms

The dead Pope's red robe? glowed richly in the flickering -andle light while Swiss noble and palatine guards stood motionless on either sde of the b:er

Below the basilica workmen prepared the Pope’s tomb in a niche opposite that of Pope Pius XI and a few yards from the grave of St Peter.

The niche is plain except for a small Renaissance sculpture of the Virgin

Mary and two angels over the archway The basilica will be packed for the funeral service, but the burial in the crypt will take place in strict privacy, tn accordance with Pope John's wishes.

Pontifical throne bearers will place the body inside three coffins. which are already one inside another The first is of cypress, the second of lead and the third of polished elm adorned wilt bronze

The Pope's Secretary of State. AmJeto Cardinal Cwognafu the Chamberlain of the Roman Catholic Ch urch Aloisio Card inal Mas ella the heads of the three -anks of the College of Cardinals. the Pope’s relatives, a few canons of »tie basilica and some workmen will be the only people present at rhe burial

Thirty-two cardinals who "net yesterday set June. 19 as the date when cardinals will ■»xclude themselves in a part of the Vatican Palace for the conclave to elect a new Pope

As more cardinals arrive, the exceptionally large number in the Sacred College now numbering 82, has raised serious accommodation difficulties in the sealed off area.

A Vatican source said tht number of priests attending each cardinal during the conclave had already been reduced from three to one to save living space. A number of prelates, including the Deputy-Secretary of State have had to give up their Vatican quarters for use by the cardinals m the conclave and some Vatican offices will be temporarily vacated

The new Pope must be chosen by a two-chirds majority of the cardinals attend ing The first sign to the outside world that a Pope has been elected comes from a small chimney on the chapel roof If smoke com,ng from the chimney twice g black it indicates unsuccessful ballots: if it is white rhe world knows the Pontiff has been elected The first act when the 36 cardinals met this morning was the breaking up of the Fisherman’s Ring, the sign of authority that Pope John had worn

The French-born Dean of the Sacred College, Eugene Cardinal Tisserant used a small hammer as he followed tradition and smashed the ring.