Pool / Getty Images
Cardinal Stanislav Dziwisz, Archbishop of Krakow and former personal secretary of Pope John Paul II, prays in front of the Tomb of new blessed John Paul II at the St. Peter's Basilica on May 3 in Vatican City, Vatican. The body of John Paul II was moved to the new resting place, near Michelangelo's 'The Pieta' statue, after a lavish beatification ceremony.
The new tomb made its debut today.
Older Photoblog posts on the beatification and a slideshow.
Franco Origlia / Getty Images
Pilgrims attend a prayer vigil on the eve of John Paul II Beatification ceremony in the ancient Circus Maximus venue on April 30, in Rome, Italy. Pope John Paul II will be beatified by Benedict XVI in a ceremony at the Vatican tomorrow.
Read more about the vigil and Sunday's beatification here.
Pope John Paul's coffin was exhumed on Friday ahead of his beatification as tens of thousands of people began arriving in Rome for one of the biggest events since his funeral in 2005.
The Vatican said the coffin was removed from the crypts below St. Peter's Basilica while top Vatican officials and some of the late pope's closest aides looked on and prayed. Continue reading.
Osservatore Romano via Reuters
The coffin containing the body of Pope John Paul II is exhumed ahead of his beatification in the Vatican April 29.
Osservatore Romano via Reuters
The coffin containing the body of Pope John Paul II is exhumed ahead of his beatification in the Vatican on April 29.
As the Vatican prepares to move the late pontiff one step closer to sainthood this Sunday, Rome has been caught up with beatification fever. Claudio Lavanga reports for NBC News:
Fans of Pope John Paul II are gathering for the beatification of the late pope on Sunday. Souvenirs bearing his image have become an instant hit, but some are concerned about the commercialization.
E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS