Overwhelmed Italian officials said they will cut off the queue of pilgrims hoping to see Pope John Paul’s body at St Peter’s Basilica tonight as a massive line snaked down a wide boulevard, through ancient alleyways and onto a bridge.

PRIESTS and presidents, pilgrims and politicians arrived in Rome from around the world yesterday to fete an ailing Pope John Paul as he prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of his historic pontificate today.

A top Vatican official acknowledged today what many observers have long suspected: that Pope John Paul suffers from Parkinson’s disease. But he said the Pontiff’s prayers had helped him cope with the degenerative neurological disorder.

POPE John Paul yesterday urged the world not to cave in to the threat of war, and instead explore all avenues to find a peaceful solution.

Intensifying his diplomatic efforts to avert a war against Iraq, Pope John Paul II is sending a special envoy to Washington to meet US President George W Bush, the Vatican said today.