Thousands queue to view Pope lying in state

Tens of thousands of people waited for hours today for the first public viewing of Pope John Paul’s body, shielding themselves from the blistering sun with umbrellas as they prepared to pay their final respects in the Vatican.

Civil protection crews handed out bottles of water to help pilgrims keep cool as they waited for John Paul’s remains to be brought down from the Apostolic Palace into St Peter’s Basilica.