U.S. & World

VATICAN CITY (AP) ― Preparations began Saturday for the elaborate rituals that mark a pope's death while city officials made plans for accommodating tens of thousands of pilgrims expected to converge on Rome as Pope John Paul II's health deteriorated.

Workmen in lift trucks dismantled the canopy that normally stands on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica to shield the pope from the sun during outdoor Masses. A workman told The Associated Press the space had to be cleared for John Paul's funeral.

The city of Rome lined up fairground pavilions and stadiums to house the crowds of faithful coming to the city.

Portable toilets and extra ambulances were positioned near the Vatican. The city transport system increased service on bus and subway lines that stop at St. Peter's, and the Italian state railway said it would run more trains to Rome.

In John Paul's native Poland, the national airline LOT said its Rome-bound flights were nearly full for Sunday and Monday. It said every second or third call was from someone looking to book a flight to Rome.

Vatican City's post office announced that when John Paul died, it would issue a special stamp that could be used until the election of his successor. By tradition, the "vacant See" stamp will carry an image of two crossed keys but no papal headgear.

On St. Peter's Square, the round-the-clock vigil that began Thursday evening to pray for John Paul intensified, with more than 40,000 people gathered before a scheduled evening recitation of the rosary.

The scene was at times festive, with youngsters chasing pigeons and families picnicking on pizza. At other times, it turned quiet, and only the trickle of fountains and the hum of rosary prayers could be heard.

"The hope now for the pope is that he suffers as little as possible," said Federico della Libera, who with his wife joined a group of nuns reciting prayers in the square. "At this point, he's in the hands of God."

Dawn broke over a few hundred pilgrims who kept vigil through the night huddling in sleeping bags and blankets after a solemn candlelit vigil Friday night that drew about 70,000 people.

While most people prayed silently during the day, at sunset the faithful broke into the familiar "Giovanni Paolo" chants that marked John Paul's public appearances.

One group of young people laid out a banner announcing World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, in August — an appointment John Paul would have kept if he were healthy. Above it, they spelled out "Con Te," or "With You," in votive candles.

"Normally I don't like crowds, but I feel safe here," said Wendy Zook, a tourist from Seattle who decided to spend half of the day in the square to be with the pope. "It's amazing to see all these people come."

Amid the solemnity, Vatican business continued. The Vatican pharmacy and post office opened, and souvenir kiosks did brisk business selling postcards, newspapers and religious trinkets. Swiss Guards stood at the basilica and tour groups traipsed through the piazza with guides pointing their umbrellas at John Paul's third-floor window in the Apostolic Palace.

But for many Italians, it was hardly a regular Saturday as they prepared to say goodbye to the first pope in 455 years who wasn't one of them.

"We felt for him as all popes, even though he was the first non-Italian after so many years," said Fabio Cecamore, who spent the afternoon at the square with his wife, Paula, and their two young children.

"We're sad because he is going, but happy because for him and for all Christians. It's a beginning, not an end," Cecamore said.

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