John Paul II is buried in St Peter's Basilica
Friday, 8 April 2005 22:49
Pope John Paul's coffin has been buried in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
His funeral mass in the open in St Peter's Square was attended by hundreds of world political and religious leaders in what was one of the biggest gatherings of global leaders ever seen.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims watched the ceremony in St Peter's Square, while millions more watched on giant video screens around the city.
The mass was interrupted briefly when crowds of worshippers, mostly apparently Polish, started chanting 'Santo Subito', asking for the late Pope to be made a saint immediately.
Officials had urged the visitors to stay in special tented areas on the outskirts of Rome, but many defied the appeal and spent the night camping out near the scene of the funeral.
It is estimated that up to 800,000 people followed the event in the Pope's home town of Krakow, in southern Poland.
The chief celebrant was the German Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger, the head of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Last night, Vatican officials closed the doors of St Peter's Basilica, ending four days of public homage.
It is estimated that up to two million people filed past the Pope's body to pay their respects.
The huge security operation will remain in place in Rome until tomorrow. The authorities say they are coping with the challenge so far.
Meanwhile, several thousand people gathered at the papal cross in Dublin's Phoenix Park for a Sunset Service of Remembrance.
The Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, were amongst the congregation.
Watch the Vatican funeral mass here.
Review the momentous events of the past ten days here.
- News At One: World watches as Pope John Paul is laid to rest
- Morning Ireland: Largest funeral in Church's history for Pope
- Nine News: Joe Little looks at the likely candidates to succeed Pope John Paul II
- Nine News: Orla O'Donnell, Dublin Correspondent, reports on a Service of Remembrance in the Phoenix Park
- Nine News: Tony Connolly, Europe Correspondent, reports on the grief felt across the Pope's home country of Poland
- Nine News: Sean Whelan, Europe Editor, reports on the millions of people who watched the funeral on giant television screens around the Italian capital
- Nine News: Joe Little, Religious and Social Affairs Correspondent, reports as Pope John Paul is laid to rest in the crypt of St Peter's Basilica
- Six One News: Special Sunset Remembrance Mass to take place in Phoenix Park
- Six One News: Pope John Paul II laid to rest in Rome
- One News: Special ceremony for Pope to be held in Phoenix Park
- One News: Pope John Paul II is laid to rest
- Pope Funeral: Watch the ceremony which took place this morning in St Peter's Square, in the Vatican
- Vatican News Special: Crowds gather for final rites for Pope John Paul II
