Thousands pray for John Paul II as the Pope clings to life

There is no hope for the Pope to survive, doctors say

Thousands of faithful came to Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican yesterday overnight, begging John Paul II not to leave this world. “Please, stay with us,” the people were quietly singing, still hoping for a miracle to happen, while the Pontiff was clinging to life in his chamber, Itar-Tass reports.

As daybreak neared, crowds of people started coming to the Vatican in the morning again. The people are standing on the square looking at the light in the windows of the Pope's apartment.

The Polish language could be heard on the entire square. Representatives of the Polish diaspora say that the Pontiff will be buried in his fatherland, Poland.

Italian news agencies reported yesterday that the 84-year-old Pontiff's heart and brain stopped functioning. Italian doctors said that there was no hope for John Paul II to survive. High officials of the Vatican said that the Pope could already see The Lord.

However, despite the ongoing deterioration of the Pope's state of health, the head of the Catholic Church is still in sober mind.

A whole generation of people perceive John Paul II as the only Pope that they have ever seen. “This night is changing everything in the world. It would be so wrong to stay somewhere else at this moment,” the faithful on Saint Peter's Square said.

The Italian authorities are meanwhile taking special measures to maintain law and order in the country in the event the Pope passes away.

”Goodbye, Pope”, “John Paul II, 1978-2005”, “Thank you, Pope,” “Ciao, The King” – these headlines make front pages of almost all Italian newspapers today.

All Polish TV channels changed their programs on Friday night in connection with a sudden deterioration of the Pope's health. TVP1, the first channel of the Polish national television, is currently airing concerts of classical music. TVP3 channel is showing news reports devoted to the first Polish citizen, who took the throne of the Vatican.