‘He faced his suffering with great serenity’

THOUSANDS of people gathered in churches last night to pray for Pope John Paul II as his health began to deteriorate rapidly.

From St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, to the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin and the basilica in Knock, prayers of the faithful were being said for the Pontiff’s peaceful demise.

At a special vigil Mass in Armagh, the Primate of All Ireland, Cardinal Seán Brady, said he was very heartened to have received messages of support from leaders of other Churches.