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MEXICO CITY - Crawling on their knees and bowing their heads, millions of faithful around the world appealed Friday for the recovery - or the eternal rest - of a man who transcended the Roman Catholic Church's highest office.
At shrines, churches and cathedrals, special Masses celebrated Pope John Paul II both for his youthful vigor that transformed the church and for his recent courage in confronting death. Protestants, Muslims, Jews and even atheists praised a man whose work for peace and unity made few religious distinctions.
"There will be another pope, but it won't be the same," said a tearful Jesus Valencia, 29, who attributed his recovery from a childhood infection to a bedside visit from John Paul in 1979. "He has a spark that makes him very special."
Valencia was among hundreds of faithful who advanced on their knees into the Basilica of Guadalupe, where the pope canonized the first Indian saint, Juan Diego, in 2002. Many wept and grimaced in pain as they inched forward on the cobblestones, clutching votive candles bearing John Paul's image.
Other scenes of devotion came in a tiny cloister on the Lofoten Islands off northeastern Norway, where the three monks were intent in prayer; in Lima, Peru, where a marching band offered solemn music as hundreds filed into a special Mass; in Poznan, Poland, where officials halted a soccer game before halftime after the crowd, hearing news of the pope's rapid decline, chanted: "Stop the match!"
In Wadowice, Poland - Karol Wojtyla's true hometown - people abandoned school and work to pray. Wadowice is "on its knees," the Rev. Jakub Gil told parishioners.
"He gave people hope, strength and faith in freedom. Every Pole is proud of him," said Janusz Kaniewski, 42, who cut off a ski vacation to pray for the pope.