A dozen pallbearers carried John Paul's cypress coffin into a crypt of the Basilica. The coffin was laid down in the crypt after first being enclosed in a zinc coffin and finally an oak casket that was immediately sealed. This ceremony lasted 30 minutes.
The remains of Pope John Paul II were then laid to rest at the place where John XXIII had been buried until 2000 when he was beatified and his remains transferred into the Basilica. The grave of Pope John Paul II is in the vicinity of the graves of the first pope, St. Peter, and popes Paul VI and John Paul I.
The funeral rites ended with the burial of Karol Wojtyla in the crypt.
The entire ceremony was attended by about 200 world leaders, representatives of royal families and heads of state and government. There were also dignitaries representing almost all religious communities.
Croatia's delegation consisted of President Stjepan Mesic and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, accompanied by their wives, and Parliament Vice-President Luka Bebic.
Over 3,500 reporters were accredited in the Vatican for this occasion.