respected Pope John Paul II

The cardinals have opened and read John Paul's will, but its contents will not be published until Thursday, said spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls.
Before his death John Paul did not reveal any evidence that he had appointed a secret cardinal, Navarro-Valls said.
"I can confirm that the Holy Father, before dying, did not give a name for a cardinal, and this was also in 2003," he said. "So there's no further question on this."
By Vatican law, a conclave must begin no earlier than 15 days and no later than 20 days after the pontiff's death, which was April 2.
The 117 cardinals who are under 80 years of age are to gather at the Sistine Chapel, where they will cast secret ballots to choose a new pope.
Archbishop Pietro Marini said Tuesday a new rule instituted by John Paul II will give the cardinals more freedom to wander the Vatican during the conclave, but they still cannot talk with anyone outside their peers or receive any communication from outside until they have made a choice.
After each vote -- there are to be two per day -- the ballots will be burned, with the smoke rising into a Vatican chimney. Chemicals will be added to the fire to change the color of the smoke: black smoke means no decision was reached; white signals a new pontiff has been chosen.
John Paul II changed the rules to require that the basilica's bells also ring to announce a new pope. In the past, there has been confusion because the white smoke can appear gray.
A two-thirds vote is required; after 30 ballots, however, a simple majority will suffice. Shortly after the white smoke signal is given, the new pontiff will be presented to the people in St. Peter's Square.
Rome was preparing for the arrival of many world leaders for the funeral on Friday.
President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair are among some 200 world leaders planning to attend the service.
Some dignitaries were expected to arrive in Rome on Wednesday, and a special line will be provided for them to view the pope.
Britain's Prince Charles postponed his wedding to Camilla Parker-Bowles to attend the funeral.

The Italian Interior Ministry said armored vehicles would be provided for world leaders, and 6,000 additional police would be on hand for the funeral.
Along with preparations for the funeral, authorities were dealing with long lines of mourners waiting to view the pope's body inside St. Peter's Basilica.
Rome's Civil Protection Department said the line would be closed at 10 p.m. (4 p.m. ET) Wednesday to allow time to prepare for Friday's funeral.
So far this week, at least 1.8 million people have filed past the body, said Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni. The wait to see the pope usually lasts from 10 to 12 hours.
With so many visitors in the ancient city, Veltroni issued "an informal invitation for the citizens of Rome" to allow pilgrims to stay in their homes.
In addition, officials have turned the site of the Roman Circus Maximus into a free visitors' campground.
John Paul's burial
On Tuesday, the Vatican said the pope would be buried in a grave beneath the basilica that was once occupied by the body of Pope John XXIII. His remains were exhumed and re-entombed on the basilica's main floor in 2001.
When he became pope in October 1978, John Paul II was the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. He died Saturday night at age 84 of septic shock and cardiocirculatory failure, the Vatican said.
He suffered from several chronic illnesses, including crippling hip and knee ailments and Parkinson's disease. His condition began deteriorating rapidly Thursday, after a urinary tract infection caused a high fever.
Navarro-Valls said the pope's body was "prepared for burial" but had not been embalmed.