World mourns Pope as pilgrims gather

VATICAN CITY, Sunday (Reuters) - Pope John Paul's body was laid in view of the world on Sunday and his words resonated across St. Peter's Square as faithful mourned the Pole who helped topple Communism in Europe but left a riven Church.

Streams of pilgrims converged on Rome in a spontaneous outpouring of affection for the Pontiff, who died on Saturday evening aged 84 in his Vatican bed after an extended struggle with ill health that slowly sapped his strength.

The Pope's body, clad in red and white vestments, was put on view for the world by Vatican television. He lay on a bier under a simple crucifix with his bishop's staff under his arm.

Some 130,000 worshippers gathered at St. Peter's Square to hear the Pope's own words read out at a sombre Requiem Mass for the world's best known religious leader, who wielded political influence and kept an iron grip on Church dogma.

John Paul's words resonated through the square when an archbishop read his text prepared for the Sunday after Easter.

"It is love which converts hearts and gives peace," the text said. Many wept when the words were read.

News of his death brought tears to faithful in the square and across the globe, triggered a river of tributes and set off what was expected to be one of the greatest influxes of pilgrims in Rome's memory.

"He has called us and we have come," said Giuseppe Incarnati, who rushed to the tiny Vatican City from Naples to be close to the deceased Pope who transformed the papacy by taking his message of reconciliation to all corners of the globe.

His death set in motion elaborate rituals that end one papacy and start the next, and which could last up to a month.

His body will be shifted to St. Peter's Basilica on Monday for public viewing and will lie in state until his funeral, probably between Wednesday and Friday, where some 200 foreign leaders including U.S. President George W. Bush are expected.

Bracing for up to 2 million pilgrims, Rome raced to provide extra trains, fresh water and thousands of beds.

Many red-hatted princes of the Catholic Church had rushed to Rome in recent days to be near the Pope in his dying hours. Others will arrive before the first General Congregation of the Cardinals gathers on Monday to decide on the funeral details.

There is no favourite candidate to succeed John Paul, with possible choices coming from around the world.