Police forced to close line of pilgrims

Disappointed pilgrims were blocked by police from viewing Pope John Paul II’s body, as overwhelmed authorities tried to clear the last million mourners already in line before tomorrow’s funeral.

The ever-lengthening line of people that formed outside St Peter’s Basilica since Monday, when the Pope’s crimson-robed body was put on public view, caught Vatican officials unprepared, Waiting time stretched from a few hours in the first few days to 24 hours yesterday.