FAITHFUL CAN VIEW BODY OF JOHN XXIII ON PENTECOST SUNDAY

VATICAN CITY, MAY 31, 2001 (VIS) - Today in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Virgilio Noe, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, presided at a conference to explain the new resting place in the Vatican Basilica for Blessed Pope John XXIII. He also spoke of the papal Mass on Pentecost Sunday, June 3, when Pope John's body, in a new casket, will be in St. Peter's Square, after which it will be transferred to the basilica's Altar of the Confession for viewing by the public.

The cardinal recalled that Pope John XXIII died exactly 38 years ago - on Pentecost Sunday, June 3, 1963 - and has been buried in the Vatican Grottoes, beneath the basilica, since June 6. When his body was exhumed for verification earlier this year - in preparation for his new resting place - it was found to be incorrupt. It was thus felt that a new casket was needed which would allow the faithful to better view the "good Pope."

Blessed Pope John XXIII will be in a casket of crystal and bronze below the altar of St. Jerome, which is located on the back side of the Pillar of St. Longinus, at the end of the basilica's central nave, on the right side. The altar takes its name from an altarpiece which depicts a scene from "The Last Communion of St. Jerome." This is the area of St. Peter's where the work by Michelangelo ends and that of Carlo Maderno starts. Cardinal Noe will preside at a dedication ceremony at the altar on Saturday morning, June 2.

Cardinal Noe then explained that the new casket will be placed under the altar and will be protected by a gold-leaf covered bronze grill which will nonetheless allow the public to view the Blessed. He added that four gold-leaf covered bronze reliefs, "almost miniatures of goldsmith's art," will depict four events which dominated the five-year pontificate of Pope John XXIII: Vatican Council II, "Ut Unum Sint," "Mater et Magistra" and "Pacem in Terris."

The focal point of the panel depicting Vatican Council II is Pope John XXIII who is shown standing in the midst of Latin and Oriental bishops and blessing them. The panel "Ut Unum Sint" (That they may be one) recalls the words spoken by Blessed John XXIII on his death bed and show him as the Good Shepherd among his sheep.

The "Mater et Magistra" (Mother and Teacher) panel refers to the title of his encyclical letter published on May 15, 1961 and shows a leafless pomegranate branch, with an open pomegranate as nourishment; this represents the Church as "open to every man and every situation in order to give the fruits of salvation."

"Pacem in Terris" (Peace on earth) was the last encyclical written by Blessed John XXIII. It was published on April 11, 1963. This panel shows "a dove flying from an olive branch and represents the Church, destined to spread the peacemaking message of Christ."

Pope John XXIII will be wearing the typical, white pontifical vestments, not papal liturgical vestments. His body will be on a red damask-covered mattress with the coat-of-arms of St. Peter's Basilica. His head, slightly elevated, will rest on a pillow. The Pope's face will be covered in a very light wax mask but will faithfully portray the facial features of the Blessed.

Cardinal Noe reiterated that on Pentecost Sunday, the procession bearing the casket will leave the basilica at 9:30 a.m., proceed through the Arch of the Bells to the obelisk in St. Peter's Square and then be brought to the papal altar. After Mass and the Regina Coeli, it will be brought again into the basilica and placed at the Altar of the Confession where the faithful will be able to view it until 8 p.m. when the basilica closes. It will then be placed in its new and permanent resting place.

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