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CNN Live Today

Tens of Thousands Line Up to See the Pope; Iraq Elects Presidents

Aired April 06, 2005 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We've got to run. We're way out of time here from Rome, Italy. We'll see you again tomorrow as our coverage continues. Want to get to Rick and Daryn now at the CNN Center for the next hour.
And good morning to both of you there.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Bill. And good afternoon in Rome.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And here's what's happening right now in the news.

KAGAN: The tiny principality of Monaco today is mourning the end of an era, the palace announcing the death of 81-year-old Rainier early this morning. Ranier ruled for 56 years, longer than any other European monarch. Prince Rainer's son, Prince Albert recently took over his father's duties.

Violently weather is raking parts of the southeast this morning. Tornadoes have been recorded, including a large one in central Mississippi. The storm is headed towards Pearl River and Philadelphia, Mississippi at this time. There are reports of serious damage, especially a high school in the town of Brandon. Orelon Sidney is coming up in just a moment with more on the storms.

In Afghanistan, the U.S. military reports nine deaths in a crash today of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan. The chopper went down in bad weather while returning from a routine mission. It was traveling with another helicopter, which returned safely to base.

And in suburban Washington, House speaker Dennis Hastert is undergoing surgery at the Bethesda Naval Hospital to remove kidney stones. An aide to Hastert says it is a routine procedure. Hastert is 63. He is expected to make a quick recovery.

Good morning to you on this Wednesday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez.

And because you mentioned moments ago that there might be some serious tornadic activity in Mississippi, let's start this show off by going over to Orelon Sidney, trying to bring us up to date.

(WEATHER REPORT) SANCHEZ: This is a live picture of St. Peters Basilica where mourners continue filing past the body of Pope John Paul II. The Vatican doubts that everyone who has come to view the body will be able to do so. There simply isn't enough time between now and Thursday night to able to accomplish. That's when church officials must prepare for Friday's funeral.

President Bush will be among the 200 or so world leaders, 200 or so world leaders expected to attend the funeral. Rome officials are already fretting about security and say that they hope those VIPs will leave right after the service.

KAGAN: And CNN's Diana Muriel is watching the developments today at the Vatican.

Diana, hello.

DIANA MURIELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Yes, an enormous crowd here waiting to pay their last respects to Pope John Paul II. We've been speaking to people in the crowd. And the ones who have got close to the front of the steps of the entrance to the basilica, they've been in line for eight hours in rising temperatures. It's about 70, 75 degrees here in Rome with a light wind, which is providing some relief.

But in the crowd, these people are standing literally shoulder- to-shoulder. And more and more of them are succumbing to heat exhaustion. Despite the fact volunteers have been handing out bottles of water, we're seeing more and more people being taken away in ambulances, simply unable to stand the heat.

Those who get to the front of the steps, they have got another three hours before they actually get into the basilica itself. And then it's less than a minute that they have to pass through the chamber and say good-bye for the final time. So enormous crowds expected for the rest of the day.

Of course, the basilica was shut for three hours in the middle of the night for cleaning. The authorities, we understand, are considering whether or not they should keep the basilica open 24 hours a day. But they don't think they can even accommodate all the numbers even if they do do that -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Diana, at a certain point they are going to just have to cut it off. I would imagine there's going to be a lot, a lot of disappointed people. Will they just draw a place in line and say whoever is in line from here gets to go in?

MURIEL: That's right. There would be. There certainly would be. There is a very much a sense in the crowd, which is a very good- natured crowd if you consider the conditions that they're having to wait in. But they wanted to be here in person, they wanted not to just observe from home from their television sets. They wanted to participate in what they see as an historic event.

And that is why many have traveled not just from north of Italy and from around the country, but from all over Europe and all over the world to be here to say good-bye. So they're hoping, waiting patiently that they can get through, that they say good-bye. But over the next day, which is the last full day on Thursday, for those to come, they may not all of them make it -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Diane Muriel, we were able to hear you over those sirens.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Thank you, live from Vatican City -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Let's do this now. Let's turn to the details of the pope's funeral. Part of the pomp and part of the pageantry that's going to accompany such a solemn occasion was laid out by the pope while he was still alive, but only revealed after his death.

Here now CNN's Jim Bittermann.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(GREGORIAN CHANT)

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Reporters were sometimes surprised at the procession and process after the pope died, that it was televised and it happened so quickly. But all of it, the liturgy and chants of the cardinals, the litany of the saints, the prayer said at John Paul's bedside when he died, all was spelled out in two books kept secret since 1998.

The red and green volumes were outlined by the pope and printed in advance, but kept under wraps ready to be delivered to bookstores immediately after the pope's death. They revealed his minute attention to the prayers and songs that will go along with him to the grave, and with his cardinals, to the selection of his successor; the pope's details wishes that carried on beyond his death.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: For example, when the coffin will be closed, they have to place a white silk veil over the face of the pope. That will be placed by the masters of ceremonies and the pope's private secretary.

BITTERMANN: The books, along with a set of rules made public in 1996, spell out everything from how the College of Cardinals should dress to where they should sleep during the papal transition. The existence of the two new books only came to light at a news conference, where the Vatican spokesman made it clear the pope's body will be buried at the Vatican, and not be sent to Poland as some had suggested.

JOAQUIN NAVARRO-VALLS, VATICAN SPOKESMAN (through translator): Regarding the burial, I can confirm it will be in the same crypt as the one John XXIII was buried in. John Paul II will be buried under the ground. And that's the end of that.

Jim Bittermann, CNN, Vatican City.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: This -- let's talk to somebody who is one of the authorities involved in the preparations for the pope's funeral. He is Monsignor James Moroney, an authority on the details of this service. Since 1999, he has served as a consultant at the pope's Liturgy Office in Rome. Only the fourth American ever named to that high post. He joins us this morning from Washington.

And I should probably add to that, that you were appointed by this particular pontiff himself?

JAMES MORONEY, MONSIGNIOR, SECRETRIAT FOR THE LITURGY: Indeed, yes.

SANCHEZ: Any reflections about him given that scenario?

MORONEY: The reflection that I have during these days, having been present when he was elected and having served in a variety of capacities during his pontificate, is one of losing a grandfather.

SANCHEZ: Wow.

MORONEY: Like those people standing in that river of people walking past the casket, it's a deeply moving experience. And the entire world mourns together the death of such a great man.

SANCHEZ: Yes. And you were with him on several occasions. How do you plan for something like this? What are you doing?

MORONEY: Over the years, the Holy See, especially during the last nine years, but over the years, the Holy See has worked assiduously to update a book that's existed since the Middle Ages, "The Auto Exsequiarum Romani Pontifici," which is simply a collection of pontifical burial rites.

The most remarkable aspect of which is the fact of how unremarkable it is. In fact, in most aspects, except for the fact entire world is present at the funeral, in most aspects this funeral it's identical to a funeral that takes place in a parish church.

SANCHEZ: Which is, by the way, I happen to be a Catholic, but for those who aren't, it's a Mass, right?

MORONEY: A mess, how so?

SANCHEZ: Well, it's a funeral mass. I mean you still...

MORONEY: Oh, a mass. Yes. Yes. It is.

SANCHEZ: What did you think I said?

MORONEY: I thought you said mess. I was wondering.

(LAUGHTER)

MORONEY: But yes. It's a funeral Mass. And the remarkable thing about this particular funeral Mass is that, of course, the innermost coffin the Holy Father will be in is a cypress box. It's the equivalent of what we'd see as a plain pine box. And what you will see during the funeral is it will sit not on a catavult (ph), not even on a stand like you see in a parish church here. But it will be laying right on a floor on the rug outside St. Peter's. And on top of it will be the book of the Gospels. And I can remember during the funeral of Pope Paul VI, the when the wind will come by and turn the pages of the book of the Gospels, as it lay atop his coffin.

SANCHEZ: Who will deliver the homily, or the sermon, as people call it who are not Catholics?

MORONEY: Yes. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as the dean of the college will both be the celebrant and the homilist for the funeral on Friday. I'm sure that Cardinal Ratzinger is deep into prayer these days, preparing what reflections to have on this marvelous, marvelous man.

SANCHEZ: Yes. Tough job. I'd I hate to be writing that speech. One final question. Any lay involvement? Or will it be basically clergy?

MORONEY: Well, no. I think you will see that it will be basically clergy because there are so many clergy of the world, the cardinals first among them who are gathered around the Holy Father. But certainly in the choirs and in a variety of the other support position, there will be a significant number of laity. Also, the altar servers will, for all other practical purposes, all be laity.

So just as since Second Vatican Council, the importance of ministry by lay persons throughout the church by all the baptized has been appreciated, so too it will be on Friday at the funeral.

SANCHEZ: Monsignor James Moroney, a learned man who happens to have a great sense of humor as well, thanks so much for sharing that information with us.

MORONEY: Thank you. God bless you.

SANCHEZ: Appreciate it. God bless you.

KAGAN: He thought you said well, "It's a mess!"

(LAUGHTER)

SANCHEZ: Instead of it's a Mass.

KAGAN: It's a Mass. Glad we cleared that up.

SANCHEZ: Yes, certainly.

KAGAN: Developments in Iraq to tell you about. An historic step in Iraq today, the country naming a new interim president. We'll tell you who it is and the significance.

SANCHEZ: Also, has the high price of gas got you down? The numbers just keep going up. Gerri Willis is going to join us. She's going to try and give us some advice on the best you can do at this point, on what we can do to try and fight this battle.

KAGAN: Stay home.

And take a look at this video. We're going to tell you what is swimming in these waters just off the coast of Florida. Not something beach goers want to see. Or how about feel? You don't want to feel this.

SANCHEZ: Yes. Those are black tips.

KAGAN: Stay out of the water. We'll tell you more just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: It's taken a while to do it, but Iraq's National Assembly is creating its version of democracy. This morning, the group elected the country's president and two others to extremely important posts, who are going to help him along.

For that story, we go now live to Baghdad. CNN's Aneesh Raman has been following this story.

What have they accomplished so far?

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Rick, good morning to you. A big step for the transitional government. For the first time in half a century, an Iraqi president now rising from free elections. Jalal Talabani, a prominent Kurd voted in by the National Assembly this morning in this their fourth get together.

Also voted in were two deputy presidents, Shia Adel Abdul Mahdi from the Iraqi United Alliance, as well as a Sunni, Sheikh Ghazi al Yawer. You will remember he was the interim president. They will together form the Presidency Council and once they are sworn in, which we expect to take place in just under 24 hours from now, they will have two weeks according to transitional law to name a prime minister and cabinet.

But speaking with people there, Rick, it seems like this entire transitional government could perhaps be in place by the end of next week. Now, this was a very poignant political moment. Talabani is a man who for years fought Saddam, whose people were oppressively, brutally ruled over by Saddam Hussein. And now he has risen to the same position that Saddam says he still holds now in custody -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Yes. And the irony that is here you have a Kurd talking about the future of a country, discussing what he's going to be able to do with the Shias, the two groups that Saddam Hussein was most against. One wonders if Saddam Hussein was spinning in his cell while hearing about this. Is there any reaction? Or do we know what Saddam Hussein's reaction could have been on this? What do you have on that, Aneesh?

RAMAN: Well, yes. Yesterday, CNN spoke with the interim Human Rights Minister Baktiar Amin. And He told us that they were planning to put a TV, basically in Saddam's cell, and let him watch these proceedings as they unfolded. Saddam has been for nearly two years now in a virtual informational blackout. He's been made aware of the progress of this government as it went on, but he's never seen it. And so for him potentially today, to have seen this ceremony, to have a seen a man that he sought to kill to really rise to the position he last held, has enormous implications for how far this country has come in the past two years.

But the reality on the ground is there is so much yet to be done, the insurgency, basic necessities. So this government has a lot to do as it forms hopefully next week -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Interesting. Aneesh Raman, thanks so much for that report -- Daryn.

KAGAN: President Bush calls him an inspiration to all who love liberty. Mr. Bush is referring to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. The two met at the White House this week. About 45 minutes from now, Mr. Yushchenko will address a joint meeting of Congress. He's expected to ask for help in his country's push toward democracy.

The Ukrainian president overcame near fatal dioxin poisoning and won his country's disputed presidential election last fall. We expect to hear from him. We will be listening to part of that speech that he gives to the joint session of Congress.

SANCHEZ: We're going to have it right here. Right?

KAGAN: Yes. Mm-hmm.

SANCHEZ: Missing for three days now, where authorities ended up finding this New York City deliveryman. You're not going to believe. This is our producer's favorite story of the day, by the way.

KAGAN: With good reason.

Plus, gas prices going up. Gerri Willis is here with help other than just staying home.

Hi, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi, guys. If you filled up your gas tank recently, you might think what's missing is your money. We'll tell you how to save it when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Boy, talk about needed advice. These days filling up your tank means emptying your wallet. So many gas-guzzlers have now become penny pinchers. How can you get around the high cost of gas?

Here now with her "Top Five Tips" on this is CNN's Gerri Willis, good enough to join us. She is in New York. And I guess, Gerri, you have to start with stopping with customer loyalty. Right?

WILLIS: You bet. Hey there, Rick. Good to see you. Job No. 1, if you go to a gas station all the time, may it's close to you, your favorite neighborhood spot, think about shopping around. You can save as much as 20 cents a gallon just by making sure you get the lowest of the low prices. An easy way to do that, go to the web, these two Web sites in particular: gas buddy.com and gaswatch.com.

SANCHEZ: Does our driving affect our consumption of gas?

WILLIS: You bet. You know those people who drive like nut cases? They speed in and they jam on the brakes. They stop-start all the time. It takes a lot of gas to do that. In fact, they can save 72 cents a gallon just by driving like a normal human being. Now also, your gas mileage declines when you drive really, really fast, over 60 miles an hour. So slow down. Also, use cruise control. That will save you some money.

SANCHEZ: What if you keep your car really tuned up?

WILLIS: That's a good thing. Definitely a good thing. It will save you 4 percent on gas mileage. It's great to do. A couple other things to keep your car in tiptop shape and to make it more efficient: unclog those air filters, inflate your tires properly; that's something a lot of people forget about, and use the recommended great of motor oil. All of that will make your car more efficient.

SANCHEZ: What about the grade of gasoline. I always go for the cheap stuff. Is there a difference?

WILLIS: Well, there is a difference. People buy premium coffee. They buy premium this, that. You may not need it when it comes to gas. Here's why. Only about 10 percent of cars sold need premium gas. The rest don't. So forgot about paying that extra 22 cents a gallon. For most of us, simply check your owner's guide for details.

SANCHEZ: Here's one I hadn't thought about. But I was looking at your notes and I find it interesting that you should probably take all the heavy stuff in your trunk out, because it makes you use more gas, does it?

WILLIS: Oh, yes. Definitely. The more you carry in your car, obviously the heavier it is, the more gas you have to expend in transporting it around. Also think about that luggage rack. If you have got lots of things on top of the car that slows it down as well.

I'm telling you gas prices are now so high, it may be cheaper to fly. I'm going to give you a little Web site to got to here to check out the difference. Fuelcostcalculator.com, it will help you decide whether it's really more efficient just to go buy an airline ticket.

SANCHEZ: It's amazing. It almost seems this could end up helping the airlines, instead of hurting them.

Gerri Willis, we thank you so much for that. Good advice.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: I knew junk in the trunk was a problem but I didn't know for that reason.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Thanks for the tip.

SANCHEZ: Sounds like a "Soprano's" episode.

KAGAN: Yes.

We have more from Vatican City coming us, as the cardinals work on plans for the pope's funeral. There is new information this morning telling us when the conclave to select a new pope will begin.

SANCHEZ: Also Monaco is mourning their fair prince. There he is. Rainier, Ranier; no matter what you call him, what a story. A look back at a monarch's life.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're coming up on the half hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right now in the news.

As thousands visit Pope John Paul's body, there is word his heart literally may be buried in Poland. An official with the Catholic Church in Poland tells CNN he believes the pope's physical heart could end up in his native land. News reports from Poland quote Vatican officials are saying the pope himself wanted his heart buried in Krakow.

Terri Schiavo's name is going to be heard on Capitol Hill today. Congress is looking at whether the treatment of disabled people should be better defined. Some 800 people remembered Schiavo Tuesday at a funeral Mass arranged by her parents in Belcourt, Florida. Michael Schiavo was not there. He has his wife's cremated remains and plans to bury them in a separate service that will take place in Pennsylvania.

Funeral services for famed attorney Johnnie Cochran are going to take place today. That's in Los Angeles. Preparations are now underway at the West Angeles Cathedral. Among those expected to attend, Reverend Jessie Jackson, Quincy Jones and many others. Cochran died last week from a brain tumor last week. He was 67 years old.

In a few years, Americans coming back from trips to neighboring nations could need some extra I.D. to get back home. In a plan proposed Tuesday, the State Department could require Americans to show their passports when returning to the U.S. The guidelines would be phased in by 2008. It would affect travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

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Aired April 6, 2005 - 10:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We've got to run. We're way out of time here from Rome, Italy. We'll see you again tomorrow as our coverage continues. Want to get to Rick and Daryn now at the CNN Center for the next hour.
And good morning to both of you there.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Good morning to you, Bill. And good afternoon in Rome.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: And here's what's happening right now in the news.

KAGAN: The tiny principality of Monaco today is mourning the end of an era, the palace announcing the death of 81-year-old Rainier early this morning. Ranier ruled for 56 years, longer than any other European monarch. Prince Rainer's son, Prince Albert recently took over his father's duties.

Violently weather is raking parts of the southeast this morning. Tornadoes have been recorded, including a large one in central Mississippi. The storm is headed towards Pearl River and Philadelphia, Mississippi at this time. There are reports of serious damage, especially a high school in the town of Brandon. Orelon Sidney is coming up in just a moment with more on the storms.

In Afghanistan, the U.S. military reports nine deaths in a crash today of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan. The chopper went down in bad weather while returning from a routine mission. It was traveling with another helicopter, which returned safely to base.

And in suburban Washington, House speaker Dennis Hastert is undergoing surgery at the Bethesda Naval Hospital to remove kidney stones. An aide to Hastert says it is a routine procedure. Hastert is 63. He is expected to make a quick recovery.

Good morning to you on this Wednesday morning. I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez.

And because you mentioned moments ago that there might be some serious tornadic activity in Mississippi, let's start this show off by going over to Orelon Sidney, trying to bring us up to date.

(WEATHER REPORT) SANCHEZ: This is a live picture of St. Peters Basilica where mourners continue filing past the body of Pope John Paul II. The Vatican doubts that everyone who has come to view the body will be able to do so. There simply isn't enough time between now and Thursday night to able to accomplish. That's when church officials must prepare for Friday's funeral.

President Bush will be among the 200 or so world leaders, 200 or so world leaders expected to attend the funeral. Rome officials are already fretting about security and say that they hope those VIPs will leave right after the service.

KAGAN: And CNN's Diana Muriel is watching the developments today at the Vatican.

Diana, hello.

DIANA MURIELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Daryn. Yes, an enormous crowd here waiting to pay their last respects to Pope John Paul II. We've been speaking to people in the crowd. And the ones who have got close to the front of the steps of the entrance to the basilica, they've been in line for eight hours in rising temperatures. It's about 70, 75 degrees here in Rome with a light wind, which is providing some relief.

But in the crowd, these people are standing literally shoulder- to-shoulder. And more and more of them are succumbing to heat exhaustion. Despite the fact volunteers have been handing out bottles of water, we're seeing more and more people being taken away in ambulances, simply unable to stand the heat.

Those who get to the front of the steps, they have got another three hours before they actually get into the basilica itself. And then it's less than a minute that they have to pass through the chamber and say good-bye for the final time. So enormous crowds expected for the rest of the day.

Of course, the basilica was shut for three hours in the middle of the night for cleaning. The authorities, we understand, are considering whether or not they should keep the basilica open 24 hours a day. But they don't think they can even accommodate all the numbers even if they do do that -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Diana, at a certain point they are going to just have to cut it off. I would imagine there's going to be a lot, a lot of disappointed people. Will they just draw a place in line and say whoever is in line from here gets to go in?

MURIEL: That's right. There would be. There certainly would be. There is a very much a sense in the crowd, which is a very good- natured crowd if you consider the conditions that they're having to wait in. But they wanted to be here in person, they wanted not to just observe from home from their television sets. They wanted to participate in what they see as an historic event.

And that is why many have traveled not just from north of Italy and from around the country, but from all over Europe and all over the world to be here to say good-bye. So they're hoping, waiting patiently that they can get through, that they say good-bye. But over the next day, which is the last full day on Thursday, for those to come, they may not all of them make it -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Diane Muriel, we were able to hear you over those sirens.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Thank you, live from Vatican City -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Let's do this now. Let's turn to the details of the pope's funeral. Part of the pomp and part of the pageantry that's going to accompany such a solemn occasion was laid out by the pope while he was still alive, but only revealed after his death.

Here now CNN's Jim Bittermann.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(GREGORIAN CHANT)

JIM BITTERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Reporters were sometimes surprised at the procession and process after the pope died, that it was televised and it happened so quickly. But all of it, the liturgy and chants of the cardinals, the litany of the saints, the prayer said at John Paul's bedside when he died, all was spelled out in two books kept secret since 1998.

The red and green volumes were outlined by the pope and printed in advance, but kept under wraps ready to be delivered to bookstores immediately after the pope's death. They revealed his minute attention to the prayers and songs that will go along with him to the grave, and with his cardinals, to the selection of his successor; the pope's details wishes that carried on beyond his death.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: For example, when the coffin will be closed, they have to place a white silk veil over the face of the pope. That will be placed by the masters of ceremonies and the pope's private secretary.

BITTERMANN: The books, along with a set of rules made public in 1996, spell out everything from how the College of Cardinals should dress to where they should sleep during the papal transition. The existence of the two new books only came to light at a news conference, where the Vatican spokesman made it clear the pope's body will be buried at the Vatican, and not be sent to Poland as some had suggested.

JOAQUIN NAVARRO-VALLS, VATICAN SPOKESMAN (through translator): Regarding the burial, I can confirm it will be in the same crypt as the one John XXIII was buried in. John Paul II will be buried under the ground. And that's the end of that.

Jim Bittermann, CNN, Vatican City.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: This -- let's talk to somebody who is one of the authorities involved in the preparations for the pope's funeral. He is Monsignor James Moroney, an authority on the details of this service. Since 1999, he has served as a consultant at the pope's Liturgy Office in Rome. Only the fourth American ever named to that high post. He joins us this morning from Washington.

And I should probably add to that, that you were appointed by this particular pontiff himself?

JAMES MORONEY, MONSIGNIOR, SECRETRIAT FOR THE LITURGY: Indeed, yes.

SANCHEZ: Any reflections about him given that scenario?

MORONEY: The reflection that I have during these days, having been present when he was elected and having served in a variety of capacities during his pontificate, is one of losing a grandfather.

SANCHEZ: Wow.

MORONEY: Like those people standing in that river of people walking past the casket, it's a deeply moving experience. And the entire world mourns together the death of such a great man.

SANCHEZ: Yes. And you were with him on several occasions. How do you plan for something like this? What are you doing?

MORONEY: Over the years, the Holy See, especially during the last nine years, but over the years, the Holy See has worked assiduously to update a book that's existed since the Middle Ages, "The Auto Exsequiarum Romani Pontifici," which is simply a collection of pontifical burial rites.

The most remarkable aspect of which is the fact of how unremarkable it is. In fact, in most aspects, except for the fact entire world is present at the funeral, in most aspects this funeral it's identical to a funeral that takes place in a parish church.

SANCHEZ: Which is, by the way, I happen to be a Catholic, but for those who aren't, it's a Mass, right?

MORONEY: A mess, how so?

SANCHEZ: Well, it's a funeral mass. I mean you still...

MORONEY: Oh, a mass. Yes. Yes. It is.

SANCHEZ: What did you think I said?

MORONEY: I thought you said mess. I was wondering.

(LAUGHTER)

MORONEY: But yes. It's a funeral Mass. And the remarkable thing about this particular funeral Mass is that, of course, the innermost coffin the Holy Father will be in is a cypress box. It's the equivalent of what we'd see as a plain pine box. And what you will see during the funeral is it will sit not on a catavult (ph), not even on a stand like you see in a parish church here. But it will be laying right on a floor on the rug outside St. Peter's. And on top of it will be the book of the Gospels. And I can remember during the funeral of Pope Paul VI, the when the wind will come by and turn the pages of the book of the Gospels, as it lay atop his coffin.

SANCHEZ: Who will deliver the homily, or the sermon, as people call it who are not Catholics?

MORONEY: Yes. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as the dean of the college will both be the celebrant and the homilist for the funeral on Friday. I'm sure that Cardinal Ratzinger is deep into prayer these days, preparing what reflections to have on this marvelous, marvelous man.

SANCHEZ: Yes. Tough job. I'd I hate to be writing that speech. One final question. Any lay involvement? Or will it be basically clergy?

MORONEY: Well, no. I think you will see that it will be basically clergy because there are so many clergy of the world, the cardinals first among them who are gathered around the Holy Father. But certainly in the choirs and in a variety of the other support position, there will be a significant number of laity. Also, the altar servers will, for all other practical purposes, all be laity.

So just as since Second Vatican Council, the importance of ministry by lay persons throughout the church by all the baptized has been appreciated, so too it will be on Friday at the funeral.

SANCHEZ: Monsignor James Moroney, a learned man who happens to have a great sense of humor as well, thanks so much for sharing that information with us.

MORONEY: Thank you. God bless you.

SANCHEZ: Appreciate it. God bless you.

KAGAN: He thought you said well, "It's a mess!"

(LAUGHTER)

SANCHEZ: Instead of it's a Mass.

KAGAN: It's a Mass. Glad we cleared that up.

SANCHEZ: Yes, certainly.

KAGAN: Developments in Iraq to tell you about. An historic step in Iraq today, the country naming a new interim president. We'll tell you who it is and the significance.

SANCHEZ: Also, has the high price of gas got you down? The numbers just keep going up. Gerri Willis is going to join us. She's going to try and give us some advice on the best you can do at this point, on what we can do to try and fight this battle.

KAGAN: Stay home.

And take a look at this video. We're going to tell you what is swimming in these waters just off the coast of Florida. Not something beach goers want to see. Or how about feel? You don't want to feel this.

SANCHEZ: Yes. Those are black tips.

KAGAN: Stay out of the water. We'll tell you more just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: It's taken a while to do it, but Iraq's National Assembly is creating its version of democracy. This morning, the group elected the country's president and two others to extremely important posts, who are going to help him along.

For that story, we go now live to Baghdad. CNN's Aneesh Raman has been following this story.

What have they accomplished so far?

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Rick, good morning to you. A big step for the transitional government. For the first time in half a century, an Iraqi president now rising from free elections. Jalal Talabani, a prominent Kurd voted in by the National Assembly this morning in this their fourth get together.

Also voted in were two deputy presidents, Shia Adel Abdul Mahdi from the Iraqi United Alliance, as well as a Sunni, Sheikh Ghazi al Yawer. You will remember he was the interim president. They will together form the Presidency Council and once they are sworn in, which we expect to take place in just under 24 hours from now, they will have two weeks according to transitional law to name a prime minister and cabinet.

But speaking with people there, Rick, it seems like this entire transitional government could perhaps be in place by the end of next week. Now, this was a very poignant political moment. Talabani is a man who for years fought Saddam, whose people were oppressively, brutally ruled over by Saddam Hussein. And now he has risen to the same position that Saddam says he still holds now in custody -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Yes. And the irony that is here you have a Kurd talking about the future of a country, discussing what he's going to be able to do with the Shias, the two groups that Saddam Hussein was most against. One wonders if Saddam Hussein was spinning in his cell while hearing about this. Is there any reaction? Or do we know what Saddam Hussein's reaction could have been on this? What do you have on that, Aneesh?

RAMAN: Well, yes. Yesterday, CNN spoke with the interim Human Rights Minister Baktiar Amin. And He told us that they were planning to put a TV, basically in Saddam's cell, and let him watch these proceedings as they unfolded. Saddam has been for nearly two years now in a virtual informational blackout. He's been made aware of the progress of this government as it went on, but he's never seen it. And so for him potentially today, to have seen this ceremony, to have a seen a man that he sought to kill to really rise to the position he last held, has enormous implications for how far this country has come in the past two years.

But the reality on the ground is there is so much yet to be done, the insurgency, basic necessities. So this government has a lot to do as it forms hopefully next week -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Interesting. Aneesh Raman, thanks so much for that report -- Daryn.

KAGAN: President Bush calls him an inspiration to all who love liberty. Mr. Bush is referring to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. The two met at the White House this week. About 45 minutes from now, Mr. Yushchenko will address a joint meeting of Congress. He's expected to ask for help in his country's push toward democracy.

The Ukrainian president overcame near fatal dioxin poisoning and won his country's disputed presidential election last fall. We expect to hear from him. We will be listening to part of that speech that he gives to the joint session of Congress.

SANCHEZ: We're going to have it right here. Right?

KAGAN: Yes. Mm-hmm.

SANCHEZ: Missing for three days now, where authorities ended up finding this New York City deliveryman. You're not going to believe. This is our producer's favorite story of the day, by the way.

KAGAN: With good reason.

Plus, gas prices going up. Gerri Willis is here with help other than just staying home.

Hi, Ger.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN-FN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hi, guys. If you filled up your gas tank recently, you might think what's missing is your money. We'll tell you how to save it when CNN LIVE TODAY continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: Boy, talk about needed advice. These days filling up your tank means emptying your wallet. So many gas-guzzlers have now become penny pinchers. How can you get around the high cost of gas?

Here now with her "Top Five Tips" on this is CNN's Gerri Willis, good enough to join us. She is in New York. And I guess, Gerri, you have to start with stopping with customer loyalty. Right?

WILLIS: You bet. Hey there, Rick. Good to see you. Job No. 1, if you go to a gas station all the time, may it's close to you, your favorite neighborhood spot, think about shopping around. You can save as much as 20 cents a gallon just by making sure you get the lowest of the low prices. An easy way to do that, go to the web, these two Web sites in particular: gas buddy.com and gaswatch.com.

SANCHEZ: Does our driving affect our consumption of gas?

WILLIS: You bet. You know those people who drive like nut cases? They speed in and they jam on the brakes. They stop-start all the time. It takes a lot of gas to do that. In fact, they can save 72 cents a gallon just by driving like a normal human being. Now also, your gas mileage declines when you drive really, really fast, over 60 miles an hour. So slow down. Also, use cruise control. That will save you some money.

SANCHEZ: What if you keep your car really tuned up?

WILLIS: That's a good thing. Definitely a good thing. It will save you 4 percent on gas mileage. It's great to do. A couple other things to keep your car in tiptop shape and to make it more efficient: unclog those air filters, inflate your tires properly; that's something a lot of people forget about, and use the recommended great of motor oil. All of that will make your car more efficient.

SANCHEZ: What about the grade of gasoline. I always go for the cheap stuff. Is there a difference?

WILLIS: Well, there is a difference. People buy premium coffee. They buy premium this, that. You may not need it when it comes to gas. Here's why. Only about 10 percent of cars sold need premium gas. The rest don't. So forgot about paying that extra 22 cents a gallon. For most of us, simply check your owner's guide for details.

SANCHEZ: Here's one I hadn't thought about. But I was looking at your notes and I find it interesting that you should probably take all the heavy stuff in your trunk out, because it makes you use more gas, does it?

WILLIS: Oh, yes. Definitely. The more you carry in your car, obviously the heavier it is, the more gas you have to expend in transporting it around. Also think about that luggage rack. If you have got lots of things on top of the car that slows it down as well.

I'm telling you gas prices are now so high, it may be cheaper to fly. I'm going to give you a little Web site to got to here to check out the difference. Fuelcostcalculator.com, it will help you decide whether it's really more efficient just to go buy an airline ticket.

SANCHEZ: It's amazing. It almost seems this could end up helping the airlines, instead of hurting them.

Gerri Willis, we thank you so much for that. Good advice.

WILLIS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: I knew junk in the trunk was a problem but I didn't know for that reason.

(LAUGHTER)

KAGAN: Thanks for the tip.

SANCHEZ: Sounds like a "Soprano's" episode.

KAGAN: Yes.

We have more from Vatican City coming us, as the cardinals work on plans for the pope's funeral. There is new information this morning telling us when the conclave to select a new pope will begin.

SANCHEZ: Also Monaco is mourning their fair prince. There he is. Rainier, Ranier; no matter what you call him, what a story. A look back at a monarch's life.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We're coming up on the half hour. Good morning once again. I'm Daryn Kagan.

SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez. And here's what's happening right now in the news.

As thousands visit Pope John Paul's body, there is word his heart literally may be buried in Poland. An official with the Catholic Church in Poland tells CNN he believes the pope's physical heart could end up in his native land. News reports from Poland quote Vatican officials are saying the pope himself wanted his heart buried in Krakow.

Terri Schiavo's name is going to be heard on Capitol Hill today. Congress is looking at whether the treatment of disabled people should be better defined. Some 800 people remembered Schiavo Tuesday at a funeral Mass arranged by her parents in Belcourt, Florida. Michael Schiavo was not there. He has his wife's cremated remains and plans to bury them in a separate service that will take place in Pennsylvania.

Funeral services for famed attorney Johnnie Cochran are going to take place today. That's in Los Angeles. Preparations are now underway at the West Angeles Cathedral. Among those expected to attend, Reverend Jessie Jackson, Quincy Jones and many others. Cochran died last week from a brain tumor last week. He was 67 years old.

In a few years, Americans coming back from trips to neighboring nations could need some extra I.D. to get back home. In a plan proposed Tuesday, the State Department could require Americans to show their passports when returning to the U.S. The guidelines would be phased in by 2008. It would affect travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

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