(Washington, DC): -- Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) was designated today as a member of the Congressional Delegation that will attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II in Vatican City on Friday.

“I am grateful to Speaker Hastert and Minority Leader Pelosi for this great honor,” McNulty said. “As I attend this holy and historic event, I will do so as a representative of all my constituents -- regardless of their faith traditions -- because I know of their love and respect for this great spiritual leader.”

The congressman added, “As I return to the Eternal City, I will recall with fondness and gratitude my many visits to St. Peter's Square when I resided in Rome in 1967 and 1968 during the Papacy of Pope Paul VI. And, of course, I will never forget meeting Pope John Paul II at a private audience in 1989.”

McNulty concluded, "The life of John Paul II is cause for great celebration. He lived a long life, had a 26-year papacy, and touched the lives of millions of people on all seven continents. He was a wonderful example of the fundamental principle that 'Life is to give -- not to take.'"

The Pope’s funeral is scheduled for 10:00 AM local time (4:00 AM EST) Friday in St. Peter’s Square. The Pope will then be interred in the grotto of St. Peter's Basilica.

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