YOUNG PEOPLE TO HOLD PRAYER VIGIL FOR JOHN PAUL II APRIL 7

VATICAN CITY, APR 6, 2005 (VIS) - On Thursday April 7 at 9 p.m., the vigil of John Paul II's funeral, young people are invited to a prayer vigil at St. John Lateran Basilica, the cathedral church of the Holy Father, the bishop of Rome. Following the vigil a silent candelight procession, led by the cross of World Youth Day, will proceed through the streets of Rome to the Circus Maximus.

  All young people living in Rome and those who have come from throughout the world to pay their final respects to John Paul II  and attend the funeral are invited. Held on the theme "Be not afraid," the vigil will be presided over by Msgr. Giuseppe Betori, secretary general of the Italian Episcopal Conference. The prayers for John Paul II will commemorate the moments lived with him during World Youth Days, a celebration he established 20 years ago.

  St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Agnese in Piazza Navona will remain open until midnight on Thursday for pilgrims who wish to pray and to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. That same evening there will also be a prayer vigil for young people at St. Agnese.
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