Pilgrims gather in Rome to bid Pope farewell
Streams of pilgrims converged on Rome in a spontaneous outpouring of affection for the pontiff, who died on Saturday evening aged 84.
"He died with the serenity of the saints," Cardinal Angelo Sodano told a huge crowd assembled for a sombre Requiem Mass.
The Pope's corpse, clad in crimson and white vestments, was put on view for the world by Vatican TV. He lay on a bier under a simple crucifix with his bishop's staff under his arm.
Some 130,000 worshippers gathered at St Peter's Square to hear the Pope's own words read out.
"It is love which converts hearts and gives peace," said the text, which was prepared for the Sunday after Easter and was read out by an archbishop.
His body is expected to be transferred to St Peter's Basilica at 3pm Irish time on Monday for public viewing and his funeral is set for later in the week, possibly Friday.
Cardinals will meet this morning to fix the timetable, with more than 100 world leaders expected to attend the funeral.
News of his death has already set off one of the greatest influxes of pilgrims in Rome's memory.
"He has called us and we have come," said Giuseppe Incarnati, who rushed to the tiny Vatican City from Naples to be close to the deceased Pope.
Within 15 to 20 days following the death, the 117 cardinals aged under 80 will meet behind closed doors in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to decide a successor. When they elect the next Pope, white smoke will pour from the chapel's chimney.
World leaders hailed John Paul as a force for peace during his 26-year papacy, while others credited him with a major role in the fall of the Iron Curtain.
Cardinal Sodano, one of his potential successors, called him John Paul the Great, joining others who have suggested he become only the third pope in two millennia to have such a title. But liberal Catholics criticised his proclamations against contraception, abortion, married priests and women clergy.
"His pontificate was full of contradictions," said the We Are Church reform movement. "The direction in which he took the Church internally was very distressing for those who had hopes for real reform."
The Vatican said that John Paul had died of heart failure and septic shock - when an overwhelming infection leads to low blood pressure and blood flow which can stop vital organs.
Bracing for up to two million pilgrims, Rome raced to provide extra trains, water and thousands of beds. Authorities planned to erect giant screens in the city for pilgrims to follow celebrations.
The city planned to open two stadiums for pilgrims with sleeping bags and set up food and water points.
Rome, which through the centuries has often had strained ties with the Vatican, put up posters that said: "Thank you. Rome weeps and salutes its Pope."
In a 1996 decree, Pope John Paul II prescribed these steps to be followed after a pontiff's death:
Vatican chamberlain, with others, verifies death.
Vatican announces death and summons College of Cardinals. Heavy chains block door of papal palace, signifying interregnum has begun.
Chamberlain destroys symbols of Pope's authority: fisherman's ring, dies used to make lead seals for apostolic letters.
Funeral to be held within four to six days.
College of Cardinals temporarily governs church. Chamberlain organizes conclave, the papal election by cardinals.
Conclave begins 15 to 20 days after death.
Cardinals eligible for conclave sequestered within Vatican City and take oath of secrecy.
Any Roman Catholic eligible for election, but only cardinals have been selected since 1378.
Two ballots held each morning, two each afternoon in Sistine Chapel. If no one gets required two-thirds majority after 12 days, cardinals may change procedure and elect pope by simple majority.
Ballots burned after each round. Black smoke means no decision; white smoke signals that cardinals have chosen pope and he has accepted.
New pope introduced at St Peter's Square and imparts his first blessing.
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