The Pope's funeral is set to be Rome's biggest ever ceremony

The White House confirmed that the American delegation will be headed by President George Bush. Other VIPs include French President Jacques Chirac, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, King of Spain Juan Carlos and PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, British candidate to the throne Prince Charles and PM Tony Blair, the King of Belgium Albert II and a number of others. The president of Russia will not take part in the ceremony and Russia will be represented by PM Michail Fradkow. "This will be an unprecedented event," said the Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni. All hotels are booked and the city is trying to come up with additional accommodation. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A5) M.M.