Italian officials and Vatican clerics have been paying their respects to Pope John Paul II who died last night.
Cardinal Sodano, the Vatican Secretary of State who was present at the Pope's bedside as he passed away late yesterday, said the 84-year-old had died a serene death.
An official death certificate issued by the Vatican said that the Pope died from septic shock and irreversable heart failure.
The Pontiff's body is lying in the Clementine Room at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.
Among the first dignitaries to step before the corpse was the Italian President Carlo Ciampi and Prime Minister Berlusconi.
The date of his funeral has not yet been announced, but under rules laid down by the Vatican it must take place between four and six days after his death.
Cardinal Desmond Connell will travel to Rome on Tuesday to begin the process of electing a new Pope.
Cardinal Connell is the only representative of the island of Ireland among the 117 cardinals who will meet to elect the new Pontiff.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has said there will be no national day of mourning, but flags on state buildings will fly at half mast for the next few days.
In Dublin a book of condolences is being opened at the Mansion House.
Earlier, more than 100,000 people, including the entire Italian cabinet, attended a mass in memory of the pope in St Peter's Square.
The Polish-born Pope's name was greeted with tumultuous applause by the huge crowd at the beginning of the mass.
The huge crowd of pilgrims filled the square and the broad avenue leading up to the Vatican, Via della Conciliazione.
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