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Originally Posted by catinthedark
There is an ancient tradition, from before the times that medical advances proved death to have occurred. When the pope would die, one of the archbishops or cardinals would indeed tap him three times on the head (tap, not hit!  ) with a small hammer-like tool. Then they would call out his Christian name (Karol) three times. If he didn't answer, they would accept that his soul was gone to the Creator. From what I understand, they did carry out this tradition with John Paul II.
As for embalming, yes, they would have had to have done it already. Bodies begin to decompose very quickly. Plus if you've seen him on TV lying in state, it is pretty obvious he's been preserved and made up and everything. He has that somewhat waxy, not completely natural look to him.
One interesting thing - though he will be buried under St. Peter's in the tomb with the previous popes, his heart is to be buried in his native Poland. |
Really? I actually didn't think they embalmed the Pope..and that they weren't allowed to cut him open at all
This was just something I thought...so haha...whatever - I don't know where I'd heard those things...
I've learned more about the Vatican in these last few days while watching this and while reading Dan Brown's Angels and Demons than I have living my whole life as a Catholic