Diocesan native witnesses activities in Rome

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
April 7, 2005

A priest of the Diocese of Sioux City who is presently serving as the rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Msgr. Kevin McCoy, witnessed a change in the city itself as the pope's condition declined in the few weeks prior to his death.

He pointed out that Italian television had not followed much of the hospitalizations of the Holy Father in February compared to the much more extensive coverage on CNN when the pope was admitted to the Gemelli. The Italian television began to seriously cover the declining health of John Paul II.

"As the news of his deteriorating health spread, the amount of people coming to the Vatican grew rapidly and exponentially, it seemed," said Msgr. McCoy. "As the news bulletins - few that they were - grew more serious, St. Peter's square filled. All gathered as so many had before to fill the square, but in silence."

He found it strange to see such a crowd of people and to experience such deafening silence. The sound of the flowing water in the two fountains, he added, could easily be heard over the large crowd.

"As people gathered, prayers were begun. As the rosary was prayed in Italian, you could hear non-Italian speakers responding to the prayers in their

native tongue. Usually in a crowd of such nature, one has to push and shove

to get through, but in this case as you moved to enter or to leave the

square, people just stepped aside - there was no need to excuse oneself with

words, eyes communicated all that was necessary," described Msgr. McCoy.

Msgr. McCoy had the privilege to assist at the "translation" of the pope's body from the Vatican palace (from the sala clementina) to St. Peter's Basilica. Hundreds of priests, bishops and cardinals assisted in this procession bringing the body to lie just in front of the "confessio" in the basilica. Deacons and seminarians were also part of the procession.

"As we processed, we sang psalms and the litany of the saints. Once the body was placed before the altar, the cardinal presider, Cardinal Somalo, sprinkled the mortal remains with holy water and incense. Then the Gospel was proclaimed, a prayer of the faithful prayed, and the cardinals - bishops and priests passed by the body in silence to pay their final respects," noted Msgr. McCoy, a native of Jefferson, Iowa.

Msgr. McCoy has served in Rome since 1998. For two years he served as the director of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education, for one year he served as business manager and he is presently in the fourth year as rector.

He happened to be a seminarian in Rome at the Pontifical North American College when the pope was elected in October 1978.

"In fact, I had the privilege to serve Christmas Midnight Mass that year in St. Peter's Basilica - here this new pope, his first Christmas celebration

as pope, and me, a second theologian serving as one of the acolytes. I was

the thurifer - so I recall walking the length of St. Peter's Basilica

leading the procession," said Msgr. McCoy.

He also had the chance to assist at the Mass at Living History Farms in October 1979 and the opportunity to meet the pope in February of 1980 when he visited the North American College.

"His death means a loss of a spiritual father in a very real sense," he said.

The pope will be remembered for his long reign, noted Msgr. McCoy, as well as the moral authority and voice he gave to the Gospel values.

"His was a voice that was consistent and clear in his enunciation of the church's teaching. Of course, his travel will be remembered as well - he was a modern St. Paul who traveled to the local churches to preach Jesus Christ," he said.