Tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square stood in tearful silence after the death of Pope John Paul II was announced.
Vatican officials told the pilgrims that a Mass for the pope will be held in the square Sunday morning.
Pilgrims cried, held rosaries and candles, and prayed after the announcement of the pontiff's death. The bells of the churches of Rome tolled after the announcement.
A service of hymns, Bible readings and prayers followed. Someone in the crowd waved a large Polish flag.
Some pilgrims had spent the night Friday in the square, located beneath the pope's apartment window at the Vatican. Many had kept up a continuous vigil for the pontiff.
