Text of Pope John Paul II's Deed
April 8, 2005— -- The Master of Liturgical Ceremonies places in the coffin a satchel with the monies coined during the Pontificate of the dead pope, as well as a metal tube containing the Deed (a short narrative of the life of the pope) after having sealed it with the seal of the office of liturgical celebrations.
While the coffin is being closed, Psalm 41 is recited.
The Vatican has released the text of the Deed in Latin and in Italian: From the Italian -- this is the text that has been placed in the coffin in the metal tube:
Karol Wojtyla, elected Pope on 16 October 1978, was born in Wadowice, a city 50 km from Krakow. He was born 18 May 1920 and was baptized two days later in the parish church by Father Francesco Zak.
At 9 years he received his first communion and at 18 the sacrament of confirmation. His studies were interrupted because the Nazi occupation forced his University to close. He worked in a mine and later on in the Sovay Chemical factory.
Beginning in 1942, feeling a calling to the Priesthood, he began to attend, clandestinely, the Seminary of Krakow. On November 1, 1946 he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Adam Sapieha. He was then sent to Rome where he continued his studies and completed his doctorate in theology, with a thesis titled 'Doctrina de fide apud Sanctum Ioannem a Cruce'
He returned to Poland where he some pastoral duties and taught sacred subjects. On July 4, 1958 he was nominated Auxiliary Bishop of Krakow by Pope Pius XII. He was made Archbishop of the same diocese by Pope Paul VIth in 1964. He took part in the Second Vatican Council in this role. Pope Paul VIth made him Cardinal on June 26, 1967.
He was elected Pope by the Cardinals on October 16, 1978 and took the name John Paul II. On October 22 , the day of the Lord, he began his ministry of Peter.
The Pontificate of John Paul II was one of the longest in history of the Church. In that period, in many respects, many changes occurred. Regimes fell and he contributed to this. With the scope of delivering the Gospel he made many trips to numerous nations.
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