Tears for a father

ALL morning helicopters thumped the skies and police sirens wailed as motorcades crossed the city and the bell of St Peter's struggled to broadcast its message that the hour was drawing near.

But then the chimes ceased, and for a minute or two, there was silence and stillness broken only by the wind and the seagulls that soared on it.

Moments later the soaring voices of the choir declared the waiting over and the last public ceremony of Il Papa, Pope John Paul II, began.

The crowd did as they had so many times this past week when they needed to say what words failed them. They applauded.

Twelve pall-bearers carried the Pope's coffin from inside the basilica and laid it down in the open followed by a procession of cardinals.

As each bent to kiss the altar, their red robes billowed about them, occasionally rising above their head and falling over their face.

It was a scene reminiscent of a blustery Dublin Airport 26 years ago when John Paul kneeled to kiss the ground and disappeared beneath a cloak of white.

For the Irish present, it was a reminder that this was their first view of the new pope, for somewhere among the breeze-blown figures was John Paul's successor.

How ever the new man will shape the church, the mark of his predecessor was evident in yesterday's proceedings.

The traditional Requiem Mass tome is printed in monotone Latin and Italian, stiffly bound and 400 pages thick. The version given to mourners was small and brightly coloured with child-like illustrations depicting favourite Bible scenes.

Amidst the Latin, it had passages and prayers in English, French, Polish, Portuguese, German, Filipino and Swahili.

The presentation of the liturgy reflected not only the diverse VIP list but the global public attendance. Flags from countries where Catholicism is the dominant faith fluttered alongside others where the Church is a minnow.

The red and white of the Polish flag was everywhere and in one spot it took ten people to unfurl a giant banner bearing one simple word, the Pope's home town, Wadowice.

Simplicity pervaded the proceedings despite the scale of the event and its sumptuous surroundings.

A crucifix, some candles and a thick block of an altar draped in white were all the adornments. John Paul's coffin was of unpolished, uncarved timber bearing a plain crucifix on top.

Chief celebrant Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger reflected the theme in his homily, painting simple pictures of the man loved and mourned.

The Pope as Karol Wojtyla, the factory worker; as a priest, canoeing on his beloved lakes; as John Paul II appearing at his papal apartment window.

He recalled John Paul's last appearance when he could bless only by gesture because illness had taken his voice. He was sure John Paul was watching now from the window of God's house.

Tears spilled on the cobblestones of St Peter's Square. More fell as the coffin was lifted again and carried back into the basilica for burial.

A crowd waited outside until word came that the private ceremony was over. Some stayed long into the evening to pray. And for the first time since the Pope died, it rained.