Pope John Paul II - EWTN Global Catholic Network Offers Extensive Coverage of Papal Events

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – As the world joins in mourning the death of Pope John Paul II, EWTN Global Catholic Network has begun a month-long series of programs, honoring the Holy Father’s life and setting the stage for the selection of the next leader of the more than one billion Catholics around the world.

According to Doug Keck, Senior Vice President, Programming, Production & Home Video, "EWTN will provide extensive coverage of the period of the Vacancy of the Holy See, or Interregnum, much of it live from Rome, as well as related programming highlighting the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, whose immense contributions to the Catholic Faith, promotion of peace in the world, and ecumenical dialogue will be forever remembered and appreciated by believers of all faiths.”

Special programming will include many viewer favorites from the past as well as special LIVE Masses, Rosaries, and other events from St. Peter’s Square and around the globe. Keck said specials slated to air include Pope John Paul II: Conscience of the World, The Pope: The Life and Times of John Paul II, John Paul II and the Sick: The Value of Suffering, John Paul II in the Nineties, John Paul II: Almost an Autobiography, Martyrs: They Died For Christ, Ocean of Mercy, John Paul II in the Heart of History and Witness to Hope: The Life of Karol Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II. Specific programming information and schedules are available on the website, www.ewtn.com.

According to Colin Donovan, Vice-President of Theology, Memorial Masses will be offered throughout the nine-day mourning period from the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama and Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Irondale, Alabama. After that time, Masses will be offered for the election of a Pope. During the Interregnum period, Donovan said that special devotions will be televised from both Our Lady of the Angels Chapel at EWTN and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 24th year, is available in 110 million television households in 110 countries. And with its direct broadcast satellite service, satellite delivered AM & FM radio networks, its worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.