Thousands gather in Rome to pray for the Pope

The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, celebrated a Mass for the repose of Pope John Paul II’s soul today on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, calling on the tens of thousands of people gathered there to pray for “our beloved John Paul".

Applause rang out when Sodano, dressed in golden vestments, prayed for the pope’s soul at the start of the Mass.