Vatican Burial of Pope John Paul II
The coffin containing the body of John Paul II is taken into St. Peter’s Basilica for burial. (Massimo Sambucetti / AP)
Archbishop Stanislaw Dsiwisz places a white veil over the face of the late Pope John Paul II as Archbishop Piero Marini looks on prior to closing the coffin for burial in the grottos beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. (L’Osservatore Romano / AFP-Getty Images)
The pope’s wooden coffin is placed in a zinc coffin, which in turn is placed in a wooden casket, which is meant to slow down the decomposition process. (L’Osservatore Romano / AP)
Pope John Paul II’s casket is prepared for lowering into the crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica. (Arturo Mari / Getty Images)
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Cardinals take part in a religious service by the coffin of the late Pope John Paul II prior to the burial of his casket in the grottos beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. (L’Osservatore Romano / AP)
Pope John Paul II’s casket is lowered into the crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica. (Arturo Mari / Getty Images)
The late Pope John Paul II’s wooden casket inside the grave in the grottos beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. (L’Osservatore Romano / AP)