Scalia’s Mass set for hallowed place where popes have prayed

US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s memorial service on Saturday was expected to be attended by scores of US political leaders, who will put aside for the moment their battle over his succession.

Instead, his son spoke with reverence and humor about Scalia as a father and Catholic who saw “no conflict between faith and the love of one’s country”. He said a trend toward relatively secular services seem moved by a desire not to offend nonbelievers. Paul Scalia also said although he sometimes forgot the names of his nine children, he was nonetheless a good father.

Over 60 members of the Scalia family followed the casket’s procession inside.

Wuerl has expressed to Scalia’s family and mourners “our heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your husband, your father, grandfather and friend”. The society is a conservative legal group.

Scalia’s fellow justices – including Clarence Thomas, who offered a Bible reading – joined several cabinet secretaries and many members of Congress at the mass.

His casket was placed in the Supreme Court’s Great hall on Friday, and more than 6,000 visitors paid their respects, including President Obama and the First Lady.

Vice President Joe Biden, former Vice President Dick Cheney and the remaining eight high court justices are attending the service, for one the country’s most influential conservatives.

Republican presidental candidate Sen.

GOP presidential hopeful Ted Cruz planned to interrupt his campaign ahead of Saturday’s SC primary to attend the Mass. The Texas senator has been among those urging the Senate not to consider replacing Scalia until after the November election.

Justice Scalia is survived by his wife of almost 56 years, five sons, four daughters, and 28 grandchildren.

Last September, Pope Francis conducted a Mass at the basilica’s grounds. The couple later divorced, and their marriage was annulled.

Many other dignitaries, including the other justices, were at the funeral. He was set to be buried at a site undisclosed publicly by the court.

Although Trump has never called Obama a Muslim, in September he did not correct a man who publicly – and wrongly – claimed that Obama is a Muslim. His dad would “lead a chorus of “ummmmmmms” to spotlight this oratorical shortcoming”. He loved us and sought to show that love and sought to share the blessing of the faith that he treasured. He also addressed conspiracy theories that his father did not die of natural causes, calling them a “hurtful distraction”.

In his 16-minute homily, the younger Scalia hailed “a man loved by many, scorned by others… known for great controversy and for great compassion”, before clarifying that he meant Jesus of Nazareth.

Scalia’s death on Feb 13 in Texas plunged the Supreme Court into uncertainty, leaving what had been a conservative-dominated body evenly divided in a year of blockbuster cases – on abortion, affirmative action, immigration and Obama’s health-care law. The court extended the visiting hours until 9 p.m.to accommodate those waiting in line.