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The Pope is Laid to Rest; Texas High School Coach Shot; Chris DiMarco Leads Masters Opening; Eric Rudolph to Plead Guilty to Olympic Park Bombing; Pakistani Businessman Indicted on Nuke Charges

Aired April 08, 2005 - 14:30   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.


VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He forged a legacy as one of the Catholic Church's most influential leaders. We remember the life of Pope John Paul II at cnn.com/pope. He revolutionized the papacy that oversaw the spiritual lives of one billion Catholics. Many popes before him confined themselves to the Vatican, but John Paul was one of the most traveled popes in history and very much a man of the world. He was a key figure at a pivotal juncture in world history.
As a cardinal in Poland, he was a shrewd opponent of communism. He also brought a strong focus human rights and individual liberties.

At cnn.com/pope we look ahead at what's next for the Roman Catholic Church, read more about potential successors and find out about requirements for the papacy. We've been asking users around the world to share their thoughts on the passing of the pope. You can read their comments or share your own by logging on. As the world mourns the passes of this influential pontiff, a tribute to his life and legacy at cnn.com/pope. I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

PHILLIPS: The papal paradox, from the simple wood coffin to the grandeur of St. Peter's Square, what the John Paul's funeral says to the world about how he lived his life. Much more of our coverage of the funeral of Pope John Paul II right after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Checking stories right now in the news.

The Homeland Security Department recommends keeping warning signs on railcars that carry hazardous materials. That's despite concerns that the placards could turn those trains into terror targets. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff says the signs will be helpful to people who respond to rail accidents and terror attacks.

The father of a high school football player in Canton, Texas is arraigned in the shooting of his son's coach. Jeff Robertson, facing a charge of aggravated assault, entered a no plea, actually. Bail was set at a million dollars. The coach, Gary Kinne is in critical, but stable condition.

A Georgia judge will decide next week whether he will release more details on last month's Atlanta courthouse shootings. He released part of a report into the killing spree yesterday. Four people, including a superior court judge were killed in the March 11 rampage.

And a federal inmate is indicted, accused of threatening a judge in Lexington, Kentucky. A U.S. attorney says Anthony Erpenbeck tried to arrange the murder of a federal judge and a former prosecutor. Erpenbeck also allegedly tried to kidnap family members of an FBI agent.

Pope John Paul II touched people around the world. And today millions of them watched his funeral from all corners of the planet. Perhaps the place that will miss him most is Poland, his homeland. Mourners all over the country gathered to watch the proceedings from Vatican City on giant television screens. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in a Krakow field alone.

There was a similar scene in the Philippines; crowds in Manila watched the funeral live on a screen set up in the same place where the pope celebrated Mass a decade ago. Some mourners braved the rain in London's Trafalgar Square to watch the proceedings. Dozens more attended a service at Westminster Cathedral.

Lazarus, one of the poorest men Jesus talked about was asked to escort John Paul II into heaven during the prayers at today's service at the Vatican. Well, the beautiful irony of that was not lost on our in next guest. Monsignor Kevin Irwin is a theology teacher at the Catholic University of America. He joins us now live from our Washington bureau.

Great to see you.

MONSIGNOR KEVIN IRWIN, PROF., CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Let's talk about the story of Lazarus welcoming the pope. Beautiful paradox here.

IRWIN: Absolutely. It's one of the great testaments that could be said at anyone's funeral, at the very end when they pray "May you go to paradise and be welcomed by martyrs and those who have gone before you." And then it says, "Lazarus who once was poor, may he welcomed you."

The whole irony about that we are ultimately poor and empty, and need our souls to be satisfied in God, despite riches and success and what we can have in this world. It's a series of paradoxes that are not lost on the funeral rite, which could be prayed over anyone, but prayed poignantly today over the pope.

PHILLIPS: And then we were talking about more symbolism. You and I were talking about the coffin, how simple, yet beautiful this coffin was. But there it was resting on this amazing, probably priceless Persian carpet.

IRWIN: That's exactly right. And that's an example of the Vatican having some beautiful artifacts and used them at the most important occasions. But even when popes died they are put in a plain coffin and that coffin being wood, as simple as possible. Again, reminds us that when we leave this world, it's what's going to matter is not what we've amassed, but how we've grown in God's grace.

PHILLIPS: Mmm. Monsignor, let's talk about just the Christian life and other symbolism, specifically the water and the significance of how water was displayed in many different ways and the traditions and the meanings behind that. We saw it a lot within the past week.

IRWIN: That's correct. And as a matter of fact, I like to think about the sacramental life. We received sacraments from the church to bring us into the church. And the first sacrament is baptism and water. Why do we use water? Well, we need hydration. And these days, as we are very aware of the need for hydration and keeping ourselves well, that very same element water, that's used to keep life, is used to give us eternal life at baptism.

And every time we go into church we can bless ourselves with that water. And then at a funeral rite the very last thing that's sprinkled us is water to remind us of our baptism and of eternal life, which we share already on earth and we hope to share fully in heaven forever.

PHILLIPS: Let's talk also about the funeral liturgy for the pope and how it seemed to -- it could identify with everyone. It actually brought everybody in. And you were bringing up the pope, or the point, rather, of the orthodox patriarch. And when we were listening to the final prayer and the singing of the Litany of Saints, you are going to be much better than I with regard to explaining this.

IRWIN: Well, we often think about the Catholic Church as being the Western Roman church, but the Catholic Church also has a number of churches from the East, largely historically rooted that are also in communion with the Catholic Church.

In addition, there are several who are not in communion with the Catholic Church. And both groups were represented there at the funeral. At the very end, that Byzantine Office for the Dead, those prayers that were chanted in Greek, will be prayed over anyone of that tradition. An example of the inclusiveness and our openness to East and West, especially this Holy Father who often said that we have to breathe from both lungs, East and West as well.

PHILLIPS: If you think about spirit and just breathing life, the meaning of that and breathing life through everyone, he definitely did that. Monsignor Kevin Irwin, thank you so much for your time.

IRWIN: Sure. You're very welcome.

PHILLIPS: Well, if you missed Pope John Paul II's funeral early this morning CNN is broadcasting it in prime time tonight. So for complete coverage of the funeral tune in at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

LIN: Well, we've also been covering some other news here at the global headquarters, as Britain prepares for a royal wedding. So coming up, a preview of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles' low- key wedding plan.

And later, the royalty of golf links hits at the Masters Tournament, and why the world's best-known player is having such a tough time.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: We are, of course, are going to have much more coverage of the pope's funeral today. In fact, please join us in primetime tonight where we will re-air the entire ceremony. Obviously, a world coming together.


Aired April 8, 2005 - 14:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
VERONICA DE LA CRUZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He forged a legacy as one of the Catholic Church's most influential leaders. We remember the life of Pope John Paul II at cnn.com/pope. He revolutionized the papacy that oversaw the spiritual lives of one billion Catholics. Many popes before him confined themselves to the Vatican, but John Paul was one of the most traveled popes in history and very much a man of the world. He was a key figure at a pivotal juncture in world history.
As a cardinal in Poland, he was a shrewd opponent of communism. He also brought a strong focus human rights and individual liberties.

At cnn.com/pope we look ahead at what's next for the Roman Catholic Church, read more about potential successors and find out about requirements for the papacy. We've been asking users around the world to share their thoughts on the passing of the pope. You can read their comments or share your own by logging on. As the world mourns the passes of this influential pontiff, a tribute to his life and legacy at cnn.com/pope. I'm Veronica De La Cruz.

PHILLIPS: The papal paradox, from the simple wood coffin to the grandeur of St. Peter's Square, what the John Paul's funeral says to the world about how he lived his life. Much more of our coverage of the funeral of Pope John Paul II right after a break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: Checking stories right now in the news.

The Homeland Security Department recommends keeping warning signs on railcars that carry hazardous materials. That's despite concerns that the placards could turn those trains into terror targets. Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff says the signs will be helpful to people who respond to rail accidents and terror attacks.

The father of a high school football player in Canton, Texas is arraigned in the shooting of his son's coach. Jeff Robertson, facing a charge of aggravated assault, entered a no plea, actually. Bail was set at a million dollars. The coach, Gary Kinne is in critical, but stable condition.

A Georgia judge will decide next week whether he will release more details on last month's Atlanta courthouse shootings. He released part of a report into the killing spree yesterday. Four people, including a superior court judge were killed in the March 11 rampage.

And a federal inmate is indicted, accused of threatening a judge in Lexington, Kentucky. A U.S. attorney says Anthony Erpenbeck tried to arrange the murder of a federal judge and a former prosecutor. Erpenbeck also allegedly tried to kidnap family members of an FBI agent.

Pope John Paul II touched people around the world. And today millions of them watched his funeral from all corners of the planet. Perhaps the place that will miss him most is Poland, his homeland. Mourners all over the country gathered to watch the proceedings from Vatican City on giant television screens. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in a Krakow field alone.

There was a similar scene in the Philippines; crowds in Manila watched the funeral live on a screen set up in the same place where the pope celebrated Mass a decade ago. Some mourners braved the rain in London's Trafalgar Square to watch the proceedings. Dozens more attended a service at Westminster Cathedral.

Lazarus, one of the poorest men Jesus talked about was asked to escort John Paul II into heaven during the prayers at today's service at the Vatican. Well, the beautiful irony of that was not lost on our in next guest. Monsignor Kevin Irwin is a theology teacher at the Catholic University of America. He joins us now live from our Washington bureau.

Great to see you.

MONSIGNOR KEVIN IRWIN, PROF., CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: Let's talk about the story of Lazarus welcoming the pope. Beautiful paradox here.

IRWIN: Absolutely. It's one of the great testaments that could be said at anyone's funeral, at the very end when they pray "May you go to paradise and be welcomed by martyrs and those who have gone before you." And then it says, "Lazarus who once was poor, may he welcomed you."

The whole irony about that we are ultimately poor and empty, and need our souls to be satisfied in God, despite riches and success and what we can have in this world. It's a series of paradoxes that are not lost on the funeral rite, which could be prayed over anyone, but prayed poignantly today over the pope.

PHILLIPS: And then we were talking about more symbolism. You and I were talking about the coffin, how simple, yet beautiful this coffin was. But there it was resting on this amazing, probably priceless Persian carpet.

IRWIN: That's exactly right. And that's an example of the Vatican having some beautiful artifacts and used them at the most important occasions. But even when popes died they are put in a plain coffin and that coffin being wood, as simple as possible. Again, reminds us that when we leave this world, it's what's going to matter is not what we've amassed, but how we've grown in God's grace.

PHILLIPS: Mmm. Monsignor, let's talk about just the Christian life and other symbolism, specifically the water and the significance of how water was displayed in many different ways and the traditions and the meanings behind that. We saw it a lot within the past week.

IRWIN: That's correct. And as a matter of fact, I like to think about the sacramental life. We received sacraments from the church to bring us into the church. And the first sacrament is baptism and water. Why do we use water? Well, we need hydration. And these days, as we are very aware of the need for hydration and keeping ourselves well, that very same element water, that's used to keep life, is used to give us eternal life at baptism.

And every time we go into church we can bless ourselves with that water. And then at a funeral rite the very last thing that's sprinkled us is water to remind us of our baptism and of eternal life, which we share already on earth and we hope to share fully in heaven forever.

PHILLIPS: Let's talk also about the funeral liturgy for the pope and how it seemed to -- it could identify with everyone. It actually brought everybody in. And you were bringing up the pope, or the point, rather, of the orthodox patriarch. And when we were listening to the final prayer and the singing of the Litany of Saints, you are going to be much better than I with regard to explaining this.

IRWIN: Well, we often think about the Catholic Church as being the Western Roman church, but the Catholic Church also has a number of churches from the East, largely historically rooted that are also in communion with the Catholic Church.

In addition, there are several who are not in communion with the Catholic Church. And both groups were represented there at the funeral. At the very end, that Byzantine Office for the Dead, those prayers that were chanted in Greek, will be prayed over anyone of that tradition. An example of the inclusiveness and our openness to East and West, especially this Holy Father who often said that we have to breathe from both lungs, East and West as well.

PHILLIPS: If you think about spirit and just breathing life, the meaning of that and breathing life through everyone, he definitely did that. Monsignor Kevin Irwin, thank you so much for your time.

IRWIN: Sure. You're very welcome.

PHILLIPS: Well, if you missed Pope John Paul II's funeral early this morning CNN is broadcasting it in prime time tonight. So for complete coverage of the funeral tune in at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

LIN: Well, we've also been covering some other news here at the global headquarters, as Britain prepares for a royal wedding. So coming up, a preview of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles' low- key wedding plan.

And later, the royalty of golf links hits at the Masters Tournament, and why the world's best-known player is having such a tough time.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LIN: We are, of course, are going to have much more coverage of the pope's funeral today. In fact, please join us in primetime tonight where we will re-air the entire ceremony. Obviously, a world coming together.