Applause accompanies emotional ceremony for Pope John Paul II

Mourners at the funeral of Pope John Paul II broke into chanting and applause, as is customary at many Italian funerals, as the world leaders joined the crowds paying tribute to the Pope.

The crowd chanted 'Giovanni Paolo' as the plain wooden coffin was set at the steps of St Peter's Basilica in the bright sunshine.

In a service led by German-born Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, and a close friend of the late pontiff, celebrated Mass and delivered the homily.

Over four million people from around the globe have flocked to Rome, only a small proportion of them able to get near St Peter's square to witness and take part in the emotionally charged ceremonies.

Cardinal Ratzinger faced numerous interruptions as mourners applauded as the proceedings were held.

Earlier the private ceremony for the top church prelates took place - medals were placed in the coffin along with a record of the life of the long-serving pontiff.

Among those attending today's ceremonies in Rome were Prince Charles, who had postponed his wedding, Tony Blair, Michael Howard, and Charles Kennedy.

US President George Bush and leaders and representatives from over a hundred other nations, many with differing religious beliefs, were also at the ceremony in St. Peter's.

Election campaigning in the UK was suspended today as a mark of respect.

Italian military and security forces have been placed on high alert. The air space around Rome was closed with flights diverted to other airports.

Temporary air defences were positioned around the Italian capital and warships were added to the defensive cordon, which saw traffic prevented from entering the city centre.

(SP)