Catholics seek solace at churches as they remember Pontiff

TEARFUL and prayerful, Americans struggled to articulate their emotions yesterday as Pope John Paul II - who visited their country more than any other pontiff - clung to life at the Vatican.

Catholics, and some non-Catholics, converged at Masses to offer prayers and light candles.

Among those gathering at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles was city councilman Tom LaBonge, whose mother was among those presenting gifts to the Pope at Dodger Stadium in 1987.