Beatification of Pope John Paul II

 April 30, 2011. (Romereports.com) To prepare for the coming beatification, the coffin of John Paul II, has already been transferred. The next event is the vigil at Circus Maximus in Rome, scheduled for Saturday April 30, at 8 p.m.

During the vigil, the life of John Paul II will be honored. The speakers include, Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, who was his personal secretary. His spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, and Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, who will recount how she was miraculously cured through the intercession of John Paul II.

The ceremony will also have a live satellite connection with five shrines, visited by the pope during his pontificate. They include Krakow, Fatima, Guadalupe, Lebanon and Tanzania.

Through a live connection, Pope Benedict XVI, will bless the crowd from the Holy See.

In the evening many churches in Rome will stay open to attend pilgrims and also to offer a quiet site for anyone who wishes to pray in silence.

Sunday's beatification is scheduled for10 a.m. Rome time at Saint Peter's Square.
The same Gospel  read during his funeral will be read in the ceremony. Once the Pope announces the beatification, a large tapestry with the smiling face of John Paul II will shine from the basilica.

When the ceremony ends, people will be able to venerate the casket of John Paul II, at thecenter of the basilica.

On Monday May 2, also in St. Peter's Square, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone will celebrate the first Mass of Thanksgiving for the beatification. The mass is scheduled for10.30 a.m Rome time.