Thousands of people gather for a special service of remembrance at the Papal Cross in Dublin's Phoenix Park.
The death of Pope John Paul II was marked at the Phoenix Park in Dublin where he visited in 1979. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern is among those attending the memorial mass. Over a million people had gathered for mass at the Phoenix Park during the Pope's visit to Ireland in 1979.
As bells tolled throughout Ireland as a mark of respect for the Pope, hundreds gathered at the Phoenix Park to mark the occasion and attend a special mass.
Many visited the Papal Cross at the Phoenix Park to lay tributes to the Pope and many more were reliving the memories of his visit to there in September 1979.
One woman recounts the Papal visit in 1979 and wanted her son to come today to see where the Pope had been. Another describes the 1979 visit as a beautiful moment in her life. A little girl describes the Pope as special and nice.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said that most people will be thinking about the Pope's visit to Ireland which marked the start of his pontifical service. Some of those involved in the original ceremony returned to the park to mark their respects and contribute to the service.
Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005.
A RTÉ News report by Orla O'Donnell broadcast on 8 April 2005.
