Millions for Pope's funeral

Pope John Paul prayed for guidance over how long he should remain Pontiff after seeing in the new millennium, his will revealed yesterday (see page 23) as presidents and patriarchs joined huge crowds in Rome for his funeral.

Hundreds of people bedded down on the streets around the Vatican, ready to rush into St Peter's Square when it opens for the biggest funeral in modern history this morning.

Vatican officials closed the doors of the 16th century basilica late yesterday, ending four days of public viewing by millions of pilgrims from around the world who patiently stood on line for up to 16 hours to pay homage to the Pope.

Italy closed the airspace over central Rome and called in extra forces, anti-aircraft missiles and patrol boats to guard the funeral of the Polish Pope, hailed for his role in ending communism but criticised by some for his strict orthodoxy.

John Paul's last will and testament, released to the public yesterday, indicated that in the year 2000 when he turned 80 and suffered from Parkinson's disease he was tormented over how long he would be able to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

While the Pope repeatedly said his life was in God's hands, one sentence appeared to be an appeal for guidance and an indication that he might have considered resigning.

"I hope He (God) helps me understand until what moment I have to continue in this service to which he called me on October 16, 1978," he wrote in 2000, referring to the date when he was elected.

He asked God for the strength to carry out his duties as long as he remained Pope.

In the will, written over a period of more than two decades, the Pope indicates that early in his pontificate he considered the possibility of a funeral in Poland - a wish eagerly shared by millions of his countryman but not to be.

He asked that his personal notes be burned and stated that he was leaving behind no possessions of value.

World leaders including the king and queen of Spain and new Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko were ushered into St Peter's to see the Pope's body before it is laid in a coffin for the funeral, which begins at 10 a.m. today.

Rome faced a mass invasion of Polish pilgrims, thousands of whom took planes, trains and buses to travel there. "We needed to say goodbye to him," Rafal Baranski said on a 24-hour train ride from Krakow to Rome.

"It doesn't matter that there will be masses of people, it doesn't matter we don't know where we will sleep. It is just important to be there," he said.

The waves of pilgrims from all over the world were joining leaders including US President George W. Bush, who visited the Pope's body late on Wednesday with his two predecessors - his father, George Bush, and Bill Clinton.

The funeral will bring Mr Bush close to President Mohammad Khatami of Iran - one of the states in his "axis of evil" - and juxtapose heads of other hostile countries too, a fitting tribute to a Pope who preached peace and unity.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe was on his way even though the European Union has imposed travel sanctions on his government after accusations of vote rigging in 2000.

Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian was making an unprecedented visit to the Vatican, undermining chances of the Holy See switching ties from Taipei to Beijing.

Nato said it would send an AWACS spy plane to Rome to protect air space during the funeral, which a spokesman called "possibly an unprecedented gathering of world leaders".

Italy stationed concealed Spada and Hawk surface-to-air missiles across the city, officials said. Military helicopters buzzed over the Vatican, a warship patrolled the coast and more than 6,500 forces guarded the city.

Bomb squads made routine checks, but the biggest concern remained controlling the large crowds.

Some four million pilgrims from all around the world have packed into Rome this week, creating gridlock in the city but generally standing peacefully and patiently in line.

"It's a great tribute to the Holy Father. He was a man who moved the world," said US Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

"You might not agree with him but how can you not love him?"

To allow the swarm of pilgrims to get near St Peter's today, all cars will be banned from Rome's streets and public offices, schools and many shops will be closed. Twenty-seven giant screens will broadcast the three-hour funeral across Rome.

After that, the cardinals of the Catholic Church will turn their minds to who will be the next pope in what Cardinal McCarrick called an "awesome responsibility".