Worldwide satellite broadcast of the funeral of John Paul II
On Friday April 8, in Rome, 174 political personalities were present at the funeral of John Paul II. From 8:00 am. delegations had started to arrive, welcomed in St. Peter’s square by the prefect of the pontifical household, Mgr. James Harvey. They then took their places in reserved seats on the right of the altar.
14 reigning monarchs, 57 heads of State, 3 hereditary princes, 17 heads of government, 3 representatives of international organizations, 8 deputy heads of State, 6 deputy prime ministers, 4 presidents of parliament, 12 ministers of foreign affairs, 10 international organizations, 13 ministers and 24 ambassadors participated at the funeral of John Paul II. 150 countries were represented.
In France, at least 5 million people watched all or part of the funeral of John Paul II on live television. In Italy there were around 14 million viewers ; in Portugal, 6.7 million ; in Germany, 5.8 million ; in Poland, 22 million out of a population of 38.2 million inhabitants. In Spain, only 2.8 million out of a population of 41 million inhabitants.
