Rome was bracing itself yesterday for up to 4 million pilgrims and 200 heads of state arriving for the funeral of Pope John Paul II.
Saying the Vatican can bear no more people, the Italian civil defense has requested that newly arriving pilgrims go to the Tor Vergata campus at the outskirts of a town where a tent city is being built.
Thousands of pilgrims waited cheerfully in the brisk morning air after an all-night vigil to be among the last to see John Paul's body lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica.
The line was far shorter than on Wednesday, when anxious authorities told pilgrims to stay away from the saturated city.
US President George W. Bush paid his last respects to the pontiff by viewing the body on Wednesday shortly after his arrival in Rome, becoming the first US president to attend a papal funeral.
Bush was ushered past the throngs waiting in line and shown to kneelers placed at the side of the pontiff's body, where the practising Methodist bowed his head and prayed.
He was accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, his father George H. Bush, former president Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Among other leaders who will attend today's funeral, which starts at 10am, are Iranian President Mohammad Khatami -- the country Bush accuses of being part of an "axis of evil" -- and the leaders of Britain, France and Germany, as well as the king and queen of Spain.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was on his way, even though the EU has imposed travel sanctions on his government after accusations of vote rigging in 2000.
Italy deployed anti-aircraft missiles, a warship off the coast and thousands of security forces to protect the city.
To permit the swarm of pilgrims to congregate near St. Peter's Square today, cars will be banned, and public offices, schools and many shops will be closed. Two dozen screens to broadcast the funeral were set up across Rome.
Although police stopped people from joining the line late on Wednesday, they relented the next day and allowed thousands of Poles who had arrived overnight to queue up, filling the street with red-and-white Polish flags and the sound of Polish chat.
"It's all under control," Rome security chief Achille Serra said.
Authorities sent out millions of text messages warning people that the line to view John Paul's body was now closed.
Pope John Paul II considered resigning five years ago, according to his final testament released yesterday by the Vatican, and also thought about being buried in his native Poland.
"I hope that He will help me to recognize how long I must continue this service," the testament reads. "May the mercy of God give me the necessary strength for this service."
The document reveals that John Paul II considered being buried in Poland but finally decided to leave the decision up to the College of Cardinals.
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