April 6, 2005
D.C. Packs Up For Rome
Bushes, Clinton, Rice, 38 Members Of Congress To Attend Funeral
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Play CBS Video Video Congress Heads For Rome Gloria Borger reports from the Hill that scores of Congress members asked to attend the pope's funeral. A delegation of about 40 will be sent, but with space tight, they might be sleeping on cots.
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Video Bush Leads Nation In Mourning In a statement at the White House, President Bush said Pope John Paul II had been "an inspiration to millions of Americans, and to so many more throughout the world."
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President Bush and first lady Laura Bush depart the White House to begin trip to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II. (AP)
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Former presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr. are going to Rome. (AP)
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Interactive Death Of A Pope The world says farewell to the beloved John Paul II.
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Photo Essay On World Stage As head of the Vatican, Pope John Paul II was at home among world leaders.
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Interactive The Papal Successor Meet some of the men who are among those who might be named to succeed Pope John Paul II.
Congress' version of an impromptu road trip began even before John Paul died Saturday. Members began lobbying their leaders on Friday for seats in the delegation, aides said.
CBS' Gloria Borger reports some members of Congress are prepared to sleep in a monastery or other improvised lodgings.
Arrangements remained mired in confusion Tuesday even as members prepared for departures beginning Wednesday night. Hotel rooms are scarce in Rome, which could result in U.S. lawmakers spending the night Thursday at the American embassy, a monastery, distant hotels or the seats of the plane, Republican and Democratic aides said.
The Senate delegation also includes Republicans Jim Bunning of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Pete Domenici of New Mexico and Mel Martinez of Florida, and Democrats Joe Biden of Delaware, Chris Dodd of Connecticut, Richard Durbin of Illinois, John Kerry of Massachusetts, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland.
Dodd recalled his first meeting with the pope in St. Peter's Square in 1983, when he delivered a message to the pontiff from Polish Solidarity leader Lech Walesa.
"Lech Walesa wanted to know if his Solidarity movement was overusing the church," said Dodd. He said the pope's answer was no, he was not concerned that Solidarity often used churches as meeting places.
"He was already sowing the seeds for the critical role he played in that," Dodd said.
©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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