[Carol Lin, Cnn Anchor:] Thousands are expected at the funeral of Cardinal John O'Connor in New York City today. The president and Mrs. Clinton will be among the dignitaries attending. The archbishop of New York died last week of brain cancer. CNN's Deborah Feyerick has more on the Catholic rituals for this funeral Mass.
[Deborah Feyerick, Cnn Correspondent:] Cardinal John O'Connor in the vestments he wore to celebrate Mass, a white robe symbolizing baptism and resurrection. The cardinal lying in state near the pulpit at St. Patrick's Cathedral. The funeral Mass is by invitation only. Three-thousand guests are expected to attend, among them cardinals and bishops, dignitaries and the Catholic elite, a funeral fit for a prince.
[Prof. Peter Awn, Columbia University:] The rituals that are about to take place really harks back to the early traditions of the church, when the pope was not just simply the spiritual head of the church, but also an important European monarch. The cardinals were, therefore, the princes of that realm.
[Feyerick:] Pope John Paul II is sending a top Vatican official to celebrate the Mass. Secretary of State Angelo Sodano is the cardinal who officiated at Mother Teresa's funeral three years ago.
[Awn:] This is clearly a sign and a validation of the current pope's reliance on, trust of, and real affection for Cardinal O'Connor.
[Feyerick:] Because of the cardinal's bond with the pope, his charisma, his position as leader of New York Catholics, there will be a high level of pomp and ceremony, but the prayers and rites will be the same as those used at all Roman Catholic funerals.
[Awn:] All of the prayers that will be said, even the traditional ones, will be those that emphasize resurrection, new life and the move from an earthly life to Paradise.
[Feyerick:] Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston will give the sermon. After the service, Cardinal O'Connor will be interred in the crypt behind the altar. There are several dozen people inside the cathedral. It is open from 6:30 to 10:30 this morning for a final viewing of Cardinal O'Connor. After that, it will be closed down to receive all the dignitaries who are expected, among them: President Clinton, the vice president, also the first lady, as well as former President George Bush and his son, and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. They will arrive shortly before 2:00 when the funeral Mass is expected to begin Carol.
[Lin:] Deborah, what kind of security are they going to have around the cathedral today?
[Feyerick:] Security in this area is going to be very tight. They're going to be closing off bits in parts of this what is midtown Manhattan. All the traffic will move around the perimeters, all of this, just to secure the cathedral.
[Lin:] All right, thank you very much, Deborah Feyerick in New York.