Rome , April 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) About one million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome for a beatification ceremony of Venerable Pope John Paul II due May 1, the Vatican Radio reported Wednesday, quoting police officials.
John Paul II, the predecessor of Pope Benedict XVI, died April 2, 2005, at the age of 84. He was the second-longest documented pontificate, who headed the Catholic Church for 26 years.
Vehicles will be prohibited from entering Rome April 30 and May 1, Rome police prefect Giuseppe Pecoraro told the radio station, adding that additional parking places will be arranged outside Rome's ring road.
Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonisation process. After being beatified, Venerable Pope John Paul II will be given the title "Blessed."