Coffin of John Paul II was Taken out of his Tomb

The coffin containing the remains of John Paul II was taken today from his tomb in the Vatican Grottoes to be honored on May 1 after being beatified by Benedict XVI in a ceremony attended by around one million people and 87 official delegations.

During the beatification Mass, Benedict XVI will use the chalice John Paul II used in his last years and will wear a chasuble and miter which also belonged to his predecessor, the Vatican said today.

Wojtyla’s coffin, which was buried on April 8, 2005, was taken in the early hours of the morning and after a brief ceremony in which Litany was sang, presided by Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, was placed on a catafalque in front of the tomb of St. Peter, where he will remain until 1 May.

Source: Daily El Universo