For Release: Saturday, April 9, 2005
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
Washington - "I was honored to be a part of the congressional delegation that attended Pope John Paul II's funeral at St. Peter's basilica in Rome.
The delegation viewed the body of Pope John Paul II in the basilica on Thursday afternoon and attended the funeral mass on Friday. It truly was an extraordinary ceremony attended by religious leaders and heads of state throughout the world.
It was a funeral mass - but it was also a celebration of the life and contributions that Pope John Paul II made to humanity.
Having had the opportunity to briefly meet Pope John Paul II in a private meeting when he visited St. Louis in 1999, then having the honor of paying my last respects to him by attending his funeral celebration in Rome will be moments in my life that I will forever cherish."
Costello was a part of a 26 member Delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives that traveled to Rome to attend the Pope's funeral.
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