Vatican Prepares Relic of John Paul II's Blood

French Nun to Carry Reliquary on Sunday


VATICAN CITY, APRIL 29, 2011 (Zenit.org).- A reliquary containing the blood of Pope John Paul II will be presented for veneration this Sunday during the Pontiff's beatification liturgy, the Vatican reported Tuesday.

A communiqué from the Vatican press office explained that a vial of the Holy Father's blood, which was drawn toward the end of his life "in the case of an eventual transfusion," was placed in a precious reliquary by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff for the beatification Mass.