The 84-year-old religious leader of 1.1 billion Catholics, who had been suffering from Parkinson's disease, had been ill for quite some time now, with his health deteriorating rapidly in the last couple of days.
The open-air requiem mass is expected to begin at 1330 IST.
Pope Francis made his first public appearance in five weeks, on the day of his discharge from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Sunday, March 23, 2025.
Catholics pay homage to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican.
A minute's silence will be observed before this week's Champions League and UEFA Cup quarter-finals as a mark of respect for the passing of Pope John Paul.
Pope Francis remains in critical condition with blood tests showing mild signs of kidney failure 'which is currently under control,' the Vatican said on Sunday, February 23, 2025 as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia in both his lungs.
John Paul II completes 25 years at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church.
Earlier, Musharraf and Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi jointly opposed any expansion of the permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Up to two million people are expected to attend the funeral service, Rome's Mayor Walter Veltroni.
Pope Benedict XVI's official representative Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor is visiting Vasai, an extended suburb of Mumbai, on Wednesday.
"Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paull II, the cardinals have elected me - a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord."
The funeral will take place on Wednesday, the Vatican said.
'The entire world is experiencing a pope who is sick, who is disabled...' said the Archbishop of Vienna.
His breathing is shallow, his blood pressure is low and he is having difficulties with both his heart and kidneys, a spokesman said.
On Wednesday, a brief silent appearance by the visibly ailing 84-year-old pontiff at his apartment window heightened concerns about his health, despite Vatican attempts to downplay such fears.
Pope John Paul II was contemplating resigning from Papacy in 2000, his testament released on Thursday revealed.
A senior Cardinal says this is best left to the ailing Pontiff's conscience.
During his visit to over 120 countries, the Pope interacted with people of different ethnicities. Were you one of those who were blessed by the Pope?
The council will help the Pope revise the Apostolic Constitution on the Roman Curia Pastor bonus -- the Church administration which helps him in the daily governance, the Vatican said in a statement.
"We join with our fellow citizens and millions around the world who pray for continued strength and wisdom as His Holiness leads the Catholic Church," Pope said.
Media and language skills of the new pope will be more important than ever after a globe-trotting multi-lingual Pope, said a media report. Mumbai's archbishop Ivan Diaz knows 16 languages.
In his message, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the Pope was 'a strong force for critical self-evaluation by the Church itself'.
The high profile visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the US is noted for the involvement of several Indian Americans as well as a protest in New York. People belonging to different faiths, excluding the Sikhs, will meet with him in an interfaith dialogue at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington DC, on Thursday evening. Several Indians are also invited to the White House reception to the Pope.
Among the many Indians who met the Pope is the spiritual leader, Sri Chinmoy.
"Since Catholics believe that the Holy Father is elected by a move of God, the Holy Spirit, prayers are necessary to elect the best man from among the good, in these trying times for the universal church."
"He loved India. He loved the growth of the Church and the sterling missionary works, especially in the fields of education and healthcare, of church institutions in India. Whenever I met him, he would ask me about India."
Unconfirmed reports said that the Holy Father was given 'last rites' unction when his condition deteriorated on Thursday.
The delegation accompanying President George W Bush to the funeral of Pope John Paul II will include former presidents George H W Bush and Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Glimpses from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's funeral at the Vatican City, January 5, 2023.
Eight of the newly named cardinals are from Europe, six from Asia, two from Africa, one from North America, and four from Central and Latin America.
Chief architect of Pope John Paul II's traditionalist moral policy, Cardinal Ratzinger, has emerged as the top papal candidate within the Vatican hierarchy, Time magazine said.
'Senior Vatican officials were pleasantly surprised at the number of Indians who had come to witness the ceremony.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. for the first time. Although the meeting was scheduled for only 20 minutes, it went on for nearly an hour.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said he had a "very warm meeting" with Pope Francis and discussed a wide range of issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenge posed by climate change, with the head of the Roman Catholic church and also invited the Pontiff to visit India at an early date.
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