John Paul II’s Funeral — Dramatic Conclusion

I turned on the TV at 5:00 a.m. local time to watch the last part of Pope John Paul II’s funeral Mass.   The end of the public rite was unexpectedly dramatic:

The enormous congregation applauds and waves national flags, the choir sings, the deep-voiced bell peals.

In measured movements, the “papal gentlemen” shoulder the casket and slow-march up the stairs.

At the top, they turn.  As the applause swells, they present the casket to the congregation one last time.

They turn again and resume their march toward the basilica door.

And then, to the sound of still more applause and bell-pealing and singing, they slowly disappear into the basilica.

Simply awesome.