Pope John Paul II: Tributes paid

Clarence House has announced that Prince Charles' wedding is to be postponed for 24 hours, to avoid a clash with the Pope's funeral.

The heir to the throne will now attend the funeral in Rome on Friday before returning for his marriage to Camilla Parker-Bowles in Windsor on Saturday.

Moving the ceremony will be a relief to the prime minister who is expected at both events. 

His official spokesman refused to rule out missing the future monarch's wedding to Camilla Parker-Bowles in favour of the late Catholic leader's funeral.

Service

This afternoon Blair and the other party leaders will attend a Vespers service dedicated to the late pope.

The Pontiff, who died on Sunday after a long illness, has been remembered at services around the world.

Today's service in Westminster Cathedral will be attended by the prime minister - who is not a Catholic but frequently attends mass with his wife and children - and other political figures.

Conservative leader Michael Howard and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy will also be attending the event as election campaigning comes to a halt as a mark of respect.

Blair may also attend the funeral of John Paul II later this week.

Speaking over the weekend, political figures from across the spectrum paid tribute of the 84-year-old leader of the world's Catholic community.

Tributes

"The world has lost a religious leader who was revered across people of all faiths and none. He was an inspiration, a man of extraordinary faith, dignity and courage," said the prime minister.

"Throughout a hard and often difficult life, he stood for social justice and on the side of the oppressed, whether as a young man facing the Nazi occupation in Poland or later in challenging the Communist regime.

"He never wavered, never flinched, in the struggle for what he thought was good and right.

Those views were echoed by Howard.

"The deep sense of loss felt by Catholics at the passing of the Pope will be shared by many millions more, of other faiths and of none," he said.

"In a world of change and uncertainty, people saw him as a rock: steadfast in support of freedom, unswerving in opposition to totalitarianism, robust in defence of Christian values.

"The Catholic Church has lost a truly remarkable Pope, and the world a very great spiritual leader."

Kennedy, who is a Catholic, paid further tribute to the Pope.

"The papacy of Pope John Paul II will be remembered rightly as a historic turning point in European and world affairs.

"His was a pivotal presence on the international stage and he took his Christian message of hope to millions across the world."

Former prime minister Margaret Thatcher praised the Pope for his work in opposing Communism.

"By combating the falsehoods of communism and proclaiming the true dignity of the individual, his was the moral force behind victory in the Cold War," she said.