Vatican City, Apr 12, 2005 / 22:00 pm
During the fifth Novendiale Mass celebrated on Tuesday for the repose of the soul of Pope John Paul II, Brazilian Cardinal Eugenio Sales noted in his homily that “John Paul II taught us fidelity to the life of Christ and continuously proclaimed the dignity of all persons.”
The cardinal, who is Archbishop emeritus of Rio de Janeiro and Proto-priest of the College of Cardinals, said the Pope “is now celebrating this eternal liturgy with all of the saints in the joyful presence of Mary.”
After Mass, which was concelebrated by numerous cardinals and attended by thousands of faithful, the cardinals descended to the crypt below St. Peter’s to pray before the tomb of Pope John Paul II. The crypt will be open to the public on Wednesday at 7am, local time.
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