Cardinals, archbishops and diplomatic dignitaries solemnly filled the Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace to pay their respects on Sunday to the Pope. Photo by CNN
The entire world, people of all religions are grieving the death of Pope John Paul II.
Cardinals, archbishops and diplomatic dignitaries solemnly filled the Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace on Sunday to pay their respects to the Pope, his body dressed in red and white papal robes with his bishop's staff under one arm.
The Pope's body will be moved Monday to the Sala Bologna at St. Peter's Basilica, where the pontiff will lie in state until his funeral, to be held in four to six days.
The Vatican issued the Pope's death certificate on Sunday, saying he died from septic shock and irreversible heart failure.
Earlier in the day the Requiem Mass on the steps of St Peter's Basilica was celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, regarded as the second highest official in the Vatican hierarchy. "We entrust with confidence to the risen Christ, Lord of life and history, our beloved John Paul II who for 27 years guided the universal church as the successor of Peter," said the Mass's celebrant, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
The Pope's last message to pilgrims was read out during the mass: "Love converts hearts and gives peace," it said.
The funeral date has not been set, but it is not expected before Wednesday.
The first General Congregation of Cardinals is to meet at 10 a.m. Rome time Monday in the Apostolic Palace to make decisions on the burial time and other details. Within 20 days of John Paul II's death, Catholic cardinals from across the globe will gather to participate in a sacred ritual that, for many of them, could be a once-in-a-lifetime event -- the election of a new pope.
The 84-year-old pope died Saturday night in his private apartment. The pope's condition began deteriorating rapidly Thursday, after a urinary tract infection caused a high fever and led to septic shock and collapse of his cardiocirculatory system.
National days of mourning were declared in number of Catholic countries across the entire world, including Italy, Poland, Cuba, Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Leaders of all religions across the world expressed their sincere condolences over the death of the Catholic leader.
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