Vatican exhumes Pope John XXIII

VATICAN CITY -- Vatican officials made an unusual discovery after exhuming the body of Pope John XXIII -- his face has not changed since his death 37 years ago.

Italian media reported on Saturday that the former pontiff, who was beatified last September, was exhumed on January 16.

The move was part of the preparation for him to be moved to a new spot in the basilica of Saint Peters.

But officials found that his face had not decomposed, Ansa news agency said, quoting a Vatican document on the exhumation.

Popes are buried in ceremonial dress and are not embalmed.

However, Pope John XXIII was treated with the preservative formalin to prepare his body before it was laid out in state, Ansa said.

It was unusual but not extraordinary that his face had not decomposed, it added.

The pope is due to be moved from the cave under the basilica, where many popes are buried, to a new position on the main floor of the basilica to help cope with the flow of pilgrims who come to pray at his tomb.

The cave under the basilica is very narrow and the pilgrims rapidly block the passage.

Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Pope John XXIII ruled from 1958 to 1963.

He is one of the most loved popes and has a particularly devout following in Italy.

He called the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which thrust the Church into the modern world, ended the Latin mass and gave bishops more power.

Pope's mass beatification
March 11, 2001
Pope appoints 37 cardinals
January 21, 2001
New cardinals created by the pope
February 21, 2001

The Vatican
Pope John XXIII

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