World mourns as pope’s body lies in state

Cardinals and bishops pray by the body of Pope John Paul II in Clementine Hall on Sunday.

VATICAN CITY - Finally at rest after years of debilitating disease, Pope John Paul II’s body lay in state Sunday, his hands clutching a rosary, his pastoral staff under his arm. Millions prayed and wept at services across the globe, as the Vatican prepared for the ritual-filled funeral and conclave that will choose a successor.
Vatican television gave the world its first glimpse of the late pontiff since his last public appearance Wednesday, his body dressed in crimson vestments, his head covered with a white bishop’s miter.
In the Apostolic Palace’s Clementine Hall, two Swiss guards stood at attention on either side of the pope’s body, which was placed in front of a fireplace adorned with the Vatican coat of arms, a crucifix at one side and an ornate candle burning on the other.

Outside, in St. Peter's square, the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, celebrated a Mass for the repose of the pope's soul, calling on the faithful to pray for "our beloved John Paul."

An estimated 100,000 people turned out for the Mass and thousands more — tourists, Romans, young and old — kept coming throughout the day, filling the broad boulevard leading to St. Peter’s Basilica. They clutched rosaries and newspaper photos of the late pontiff as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder in prayer.
“Even if we fear we’ve lost a point of reference, I feel like everybody in this square is united with him in a hug,” said Luca Ghizzardi, a 38-year-old nurse with a sleeping bag and a handmade peace flag at his feet.
Setting date for a funeralThe pontiff’s body was displayed Sunday for officials of the Roman Curia, authorities and the diplomatic corps.

His body will be moved to St. Peter's Basilica on Monday afternoon for public viewing, and Rome was preparing for up to 2 million pilgrims to pay their respects or attend John Paul's funeral.

The city was arranging security measures, as well as thousands of beds, water supplies, medical assistance and bus shuttles. “For us, it will be an extraordinary challenge,” Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said Sunday.

The exacting timing of the pope's funeral had yet to be decided, but it must be held between Wednesday and Friday. The College of Cardinals was to choose a day on Monday morning in its first gathering before a secret election to be held later this month to choose a new pope.

The Vatican has declined to say whether John Paul left instructions for his funeral or burial. Most popes in recent centuries have asked to be buried in the crypts below St. Peter’s Basilica, but some have suggested the first Polish-born pope might have chosen to be laid to rest in his native country.

John Paul died Saturday evening at 84 after suffering heart and kidney failure following two hospitalizations in as many months.

The Vatican released the pontiff’s official death certificate Sunday, saying he died of septic shock and an irreversible cardio-circulatory collapse and listing the ailments he suffered from, including the official acknowledgment that the pope had Parkinson’s disease.