Pope Benedict XVI to join Rosary in memory of John Paul II

March 31, 2006) : Pope Benedict XVI will join the rosary that will be prayed in St. Peter’s Square Sunday night to commemorate the last moments of Pope John Paul’s life. The Polish Pontiff died at 9.37 pm on April 2, 2005. Some 60,000 people had gathered in the square that night to pray the rosary for the dying Pope. Shortly after, at the end of the Marian prayer, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute of the Secretariat of State, announced to the world that “Our Holy Father has returned to the Father’s House.” The crowds, visibly moved, intoned the Salve Regina, followed by prolonged applause. Most of the faithful knelt on the knees, many with tears in their eyes. These memories will be re-lived on Sunday with the rosary, presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the vicar of Rome. Beginning at 8.30 pm, the choir of the Diocese of Rome will accompany the prayer with Marian songs and the reading of texts of Karol Wojtyla. At 9 pm Pope Benedict will appear at the window of his study and the holy rosary will be prayed. During the prayer, passages will be read taken from Late Pope John Paul’s apostolic letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” and other of his magisterial texts. Around 9.37 pm, the time of Pope John Paul’s death, Pope Benedict will address the faithful present and will conclude the prayer with the apostolic blessing. On Monday, Arpil 3, a Mass marking the first anniversary of Pope John Paul’s death will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Square at 5.30 pm presided over by Pope Benedict.