Funeral of Worker Held in Vatican

The mason's funeral today was presided over by Bishop Gianni Danzi, secretary-general of Vatican City. Concelebrants included the deacon of the papal sacristy, Augustinian Father Giuseppe Viscardi.

Numerous employees and dependents of the Vatican also attended the ceremony, during which Marchionni's fellow workers sang liturgical hymns.

During the homily, Bishop Danzi recalled the prayer raised last Wednesday by John Paul II at the general audience for the deceased worker and all victims of job accidents. Bishop Danzi said the tragedy has saddened the Vatican community.

Marchionni, 52, died Monday after a fall from the scaffolding in front of St. Peter's Basilica.