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• ROME PREPARES FOR INFLUX OF PILGRIMS | 8:26 p.m. ET
Rome is preparing extra trains, fresh water supplies and thousands of beds in expectation that the death of Pope John Paul II will spur one of the greatest influxes of pilgrims in its memory.
For the Pope's funeral alone, officials are reported to be expecting at least 2 million people to cram into Rome's cobbled streets.
To help house the visitors, at least three sports venues, including Rome's Olympic Stadium, will be opened. Transport officials have pledged extra trains, buses and makeshift parking lots to try to ease Rome's already chaotic traffic system. Meanwhile, hundreds of voluntary staff and sanitation crews have been drafted in to build makeshift toilets and drinking fountains.
• POWELL ‘TOUCHED BY HIS HUMANITY’ | 7:00 p.m. ET
Former U.S. Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell issued a statement on the death of the pope:
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Holiness John Paul, II. I met His Holiness on a number of occasions and never failed to be touched by his humanity and his Godliness. He touched millions of people around the world with his message of hope and reconciliation and his constant call for peace.”
• HAVANA MAKES WAY FOR MOURNING | 6:15 p.m. ET
Cuba announced it would suspend Saturday’s scheduled Game 2 of the national baseball playoffs and all cultural activities on Sunday. The Cuban Council of State was expected to announce an official three days of mourning, NBC News reported from Havana.
Church bells in the Communist nation rang every half hour for the pope as authorities allowed Catholics to grieve.
John Paul was the only pontiff to set foot on the island and his 1998 visit brought greater religious freedom, in the West’s last Marxist state.
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