Millions Of Pilgrims Flock To Rome

Police reopened St. Peter's Basilica to the faithful Thursday so they could pay respects to Pope John Paul II on the final day of public viewing, and cardinals made final preparations for a pomp-filled funeral drawing leaders from more than 100 countries.

Authorities had closed the line Wednesday night as officials rushed to make last-minute preparations for the pope's pomp-filled funeral on Friday. They also closed the basilica for a few hours overnight for cleaning.

By the time the line reopened, many who had waited hours for a chance to spend a few seconds briefly viewing the pope's crimson-robed body had given up and left.

"What really struck me, is all kinds of people, young, old, from all countries of the world, together in peace, in prayer. The music that is coming out of St. Peter's square creates a tone of prayer throughout the whole area," said CBS News Analyst Father Paul Robichaud.

The Vatican released the text of John Paul's spiritual testament Thursday, a 15-page document the late pontiff began writing in his native Polish in 1979, the year after he was elected pope.

The document indicated that he considered the possibility of resigning in 2000, when the Roman Catholic Church began its new millennium and he turned 80. It also said the late pontiff left no material property and asked that all his personal notes be burned. It mentioned only two living people: his personal secretary and the chief rabbi of Rome who welcomed him to Rome's synagogue in 1986.

The Vatican also released the series of Masses that will be celebrated during the nine days of mourning that begin on Friday with the pope's funeral. Among the prelates celebrating the Masses is Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned as archbishop of Boston amid the sex abuse scandal and now heads the St. Mary Major basilica, one of the most important churches in Rome.

Officials on Wednesday sent text messages on Italian cellular phone networks that warned subscribers: "St. Peters full." Later that night they erected barricades to prevent people from joining the line.

"Friday for funeral stop traffic in Rome," said a message from the Civil Defense Department. Similar messages were flashed on electronic highway signs.

At one point during the night, pilgrims who had been cut off began chanting, "Open! Open!", adding: "We are not terrorists."

At one point, hundreds of people led by young women breached a double line of barricades. Police raised their hands to stop them but stepped aside rather than risk a confrontation. The group was stopped at a third barricade manned by military police.

The line was filled with Polish flags on Thursday as some of the 2 million Poles expected to travel from John Paul's native country arrived.

CBS News Correspondent Bianca Solorzano reports with as many as five million people now expected in Rome for the funeral, Italian authorities are saying it's likely some of the trains arriving from Poland may be stopped miles outside of town, with pilgrims sent to campsites where they can watch the funeral on giant TV screens.

President Bush, his father, former President Bush, and former President Clinton were allowed to enter St. Peter's Wednesday night, using a VIP entrance for

The fact that Mr. Bush is here is an indication of just how extraordinary John Paul II's contribution to the world was and how important America's 66 million Catholics are to the White House, reports CBS News Correspondent John Roberts.

Previously, the highest-ranking U.S. official to attend a papal funeral was Vice President Lyndon Johnson for the funeral of John the 23rd.

At least 85 countries had confirmed they were sending heads of government or state, Cabinet ministers or royalty to the funeral. The VIP list of delegates' names now totals more than 155. In addition, organizations including the Arab League, European Union and the United Nations were sending representatives.

The flood of heads of state gathering in Rome has prompted Italy to ready anti-aircraft rocket launchers and other security measures. Naval boats are patrolling the Tiber River that marks the boundary of Vatican City, and missile-armed ships are guarding the coastline.

As they plan the transition from John Paul II's eventful 26-year reign, the College of Cardinals set April 18 as the start of its conclave to elect a successor, a papal election with new rules and new technologies.

With 3,500 accredited journalists watching, the 116 cardinals expected to chose the next pope will be mindful of the warning in a document by John Paul to abide by their vow of secrecy - or face "grave penalties according to the judgment of the future pope."

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the cardinals will celebrate a morning Mass on April 18, then be sequestered in the Sistine Chapel in the early afternoon for their first secret ballot.

According to church law, prelates are expected to hold at least one ballot on the first day of a conclave. If no one gets the required two-thirds majority after about 12 days, cardinals may change procedure and elect the pope by simple majority.

The number of cardinal electors under age 80 and thus eligible to vote is 117. On Wednesday, the Philippines Embassy to the Holy See said Cardinal Jaime Sin, 76, was too ill to attend. However, on Thursday, Sin's office in Manila said the cardinal was hoping to attend despite his poor health.