NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Friends, family and admirers of Lindy Boggs are gathering at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans for the former congress woman's funeral.
Boggs represented New Orleans for 18 years after succeeding her late husband, Hale Boggs, in the House of Representatives. She later served as the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. She died Saturday at age 97.
Among the public officials entering Cathedral Thursday morning was Sen. Mary Landrieu, who told reporters "We're going to celebrate an extraordinarily well lived life."
A second-line procession through Jackson Square will take place after the Mass.
The lieutenant governor's office says the Cabildo, the 18th century building next to the Cathedral that is part of the Louisiana State Museum system, will be closed Thursday out of respect for the Boggs visitation and funeral.