VATICAN CITY: OFFICIALS CERTIFY THE DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II ACCORDING TO PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED BY STATE LAW

Record ID: 648758

  • Title: VATICAN CITY: OFFICIALS CERTIFY THE DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II ACCORDING TO PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED BY STATE LAW
  • Date: 5th April 2005
  • Summary: (BN14) VATICAN CITY, VATICAN (APRIL 3, 2005) (REUTERS)(MUTE) 1. MV BISHOP JAMES HARVEY, CARDINAL EDUARDO MARTINEZ SOMAL, ARCHBISHOP PIERO MARINI AND OTHERS SURROUNDING THE POPE'S BODY 2. BISHOPS LOOKING OVER BODY 3. ICONS ON THE WALL 4. GROUP SURROUNDING THE POPE'S BODY 5. NUNS TOUCHING AND KISSING THE DEAD POPE 6. BISHOP KISSING DEAD POPE 7. RELIGIOUS ICONS 8. WIDE VIEW OF DEAD POPE 9. NUNS KNEELING NEXT TO POPE'S BODY 10. CARDINAL EDUARDO MARTINEZ SOMAL VERIFYING DEATH 11. POPE'S BODY BEING GUARDED BY SWISS GUARDS 1.31 NATURAL SOUND: 12. SLV EXTERIOR BUILDING WITH THE FAITHFUL ON THEIR KNEES PAYING THEIR RESPECTS (8 SHOTS) 2.00 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 20th April 2005 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: VATICAN CITY, VATICAN
  • Reuters ID: LVABCRY4LWJZNIT6BZJOL7BUCG4U
  • Story Text: As prescribed by law, the Vatican has followed
    specifically established procedures for verifying the death
    of the Pope.

    Officials at the Vatican certified the death of the
    Pope according to the procedures prescribed by the state
    law.

    When a pope dies, the prefect of the papal household
    currently Bishop James Harvey, informs the "camerlengo"
    or chamberlain, who must verify his death. Cardinal Eduardo
    Martinez Somal is the current camerlengo.

    He must do this in the presence of the papal master of
    ceremonies, Archbishop Piero Marini, the cleric prelates of
    the Apostolic Camera and the secretary of the Apostolic
    Camera. The secretary of the Apostolic Camera draws up a
    death certificate.

    The camerlengo then tells the vicar of Rome, Cardinal
    Camillo Ruini, of the pope's death and the vicar informs
    the people of Rome.

    In the meantime, the prefect of the papal household
    tells the dean of the college of cardinals, Cardinal Joseph
    Ratzinger, who in turn informs the rest of the college, the
    ambassadors accredited to the Holy See and the heads of
    nations.

    As late as 1903, at the death of Pope Leo XIII, a
    pope's death was verified by striking the pontiff's
    forehead with a silver hammer and asking him if he is dead.

    Some reports suggest it may also have been used in 1963
    when John XXIII died.


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