The Kentucky Wizard
2005-04-06 06:37:57 UTC
From CNN:
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Departing from tradition, Pope John Paul II was not
embalmed, only "prepared" for viewing by hundreds of thousands of
mourners, the Vatican said Tuesday.
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls did not elaborate on the
procedure, but an embalmer in Rome said it appeared John Paul's remains
were only touched up with cosmetics.
Massimo Signoracci, whose family embalmed three other popes, said he
could not be certain what had been done without examining the body.
Signoracci said even a light embalming would be necessary for a body
that is exposed for several days.
John Paul died Saturday night, and his remains were put on public view
late Monday on an open platform in St. Peter's Basilica. He will be
buried Friday.
Asked if there had been an autopsy, the Vatican spokesman said: "No, the
body was only prepared." He would not elaborate.
Historically, organs were removed to make embalming more durable. Relics
of 22 popes are kept in anaphors in Rome's St. Anastasio and Vincent
Church, near the Trevi fountain, from Sisto V who died in 1390 to Leo
XIII who died in 1903.
Pope Pius X, who reigned from 1903 to 1914, abolished the custom of
removing organs.
Embalming usually consists of draining the blood and other bodily fluids
and intravenously injecting formaldehyde and other preserving liquids.
Signoracci said his family had embalmed the remains of John XXIII in
1963, and of Paul VI and John Paul I, who both died in 1978.
Paul VI was only lightly embalmed before his body was placed before the
public during Rome's hot summer. But after two days the skin and
fingernails began losing their color.
John XXIII's body, by contrast, was in excellent condition when it was
exhumed from the cramped grotto under the basilica in 2001 -- 38 years
after his death -- and moved to the main floor following his
beatification.
John Paul, who expressed a will to be buried underground, will be placed
in John XXIII's vacant tomb.
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Departing from tradition, Pope John Paul II was not
embalmed, only "prepared" for viewing by hundreds of thousands of
mourners, the Vatican said Tuesday.
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls did not elaborate on the
procedure, but an embalmer in Rome said it appeared John Paul's remains
were only touched up with cosmetics.
Massimo Signoracci, whose family embalmed three other popes, said he
could not be certain what had been done without examining the body.
Signoracci said even a light embalming would be necessary for a body
that is exposed for several days.
John Paul died Saturday night, and his remains were put on public view
late Monday on an open platform in St. Peter's Basilica. He will be
buried Friday.
Asked if there had been an autopsy, the Vatican spokesman said: "No, the
body was only prepared." He would not elaborate.
Historically, organs were removed to make embalming more durable. Relics
of 22 popes are kept in anaphors in Rome's St. Anastasio and Vincent
Church, near the Trevi fountain, from Sisto V who died in 1390 to Leo
XIII who died in 1903.
Pope Pius X, who reigned from 1903 to 1914, abolished the custom of
removing organs.
Embalming usually consists of draining the blood and other bodily fluids
and intravenously injecting formaldehyde and other preserving liquids.
Signoracci said his family had embalmed the remains of John XXIII in
1963, and of Paul VI and John Paul I, who both died in 1978.
Paul VI was only lightly embalmed before his body was placed before the
public during Rome's hot summer. But after two days the skin and
fingernails began losing their color.
John XXIII's body, by contrast, was in excellent condition when it was
exhumed from the cramped grotto under the basilica in 2001 -- 38 years
after his death -- and moved to the main floor following his
beatification.
John Paul, who expressed a will to be buried underground, will be placed
in John XXIII's vacant tomb.
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