ROME, April 3, 2005
Embalmers Await Call From Vatican
Family That's Embalmed Last 3 Popes Hopes To Continue Tradition
-
Play CBS Video Video Period Of Mourning Begins Church leaders and Italian dignitaries paid their respects to Pope John Paul II at a private viewing. It is the beginning of a long line of ceremonial goodbyes, Bianca Solorzano reports.
-
Video A Life Spent In Service Once John Paul left Poland for the Vatican, he belonged to all the world. The Early Show's Harry Smith looks back on the pope's long record of service to those who needed him most.
-
The body of Pope John XXIII, embalmed by the Signoracci family in 1963, on view during a solemn procession in St. Peter's Square in 2001. (AP (file))
-
Interactive A Church Chooses A look inside the process of selecting John Paul's successor.
-
Interactive Death Of A Pope The world says farewell to the beloved John Paul II.
-
Photo Essay Prayers For The Pope A funeral Mass and days of mourning for Pope John Paul II.
The tradition, carried down from father to son, has for decades fallen to the Signoracci family, which was called to preserve the remains of the three popes before John Paul II.
"I am waiting for them to call," Massimo Signoracci, one of the family members, said in a phone interview Sunday. "We would be so happy if they did, it'd be a shame to stop the tradition."
Embalming aims to preserve remains and avoid the spread of infection. The practice dates back to ancient Egypt although techniques have changed over the centuries.
In a statement issued early Sunday, the Vatican said the pope's body was expected to be brought to St. Peter's Basilica no earlier than Monday afternoon to allow thousands to pay respects to the open coffin. John Paul died Saturday evening at 84, and his remains were on display Sunday morning for officials of the Roman Curia, authorities and the diplomatic corps.
Signoracci said that the Vatican call could come anytime, as the embalming would be necessary before the body is exposed for days.
Italian government officials have said that as many as 2 million people might pour into Rome to pay tribute to the pope, and it was expected that many of them, as well as tens of thousands of Romans, will want to view the body.
"It is a huge emotion to be near and work on someone so famous and loved," he said. "With somebody like the pope we are ready to do our best, like my relatives did before me."
Signoracci noted that embalming techniques consisted of intravenous injection of formaldehyde fluid for disinfection, as well as removing blood and other liquids from the body.
The Signoracci clan embalmed the remains of Popes John XXIII in 1963, and in 1978, Paul VI and John Paul I, who preceded John Paul II.
Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that John XXIII's body, which was exhumed in 2001 to be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica 38 years after his death, was preserved in excellent condition.
According to Church procedures, John Paul's funeral will be held within four to six days following the pontiff's death Saturday evening.
©MMV, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
More From World
