Cardinal Josef Beran’s remains to be flown back to Prague

The remains of Czech Cardinal Josef Beran will be flown back to the Czech Republic on Friday.

The remains were removed from the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Thursday in a ceremony attended by Czech Minister of Culture Ilja Šmíd. The special military plane bringing the remains to Prague should arrive during Friday evening.

Cardinal Beran found himself exiled in Rome in 1965 when the communist authorities did not allow his return to the country after a trip abroad. He died in 1969 with his last wish to be buried in his homeland. That wish was also denied by the communists.

Author: Chris Johnstone