Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting for hours in long lines to view the body of Pope John Paul at Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Vatican officials say about one million mourners have already filed past the crimson-robed body of the pontiff since Monday evening. Officials say the pope's body will be placed in a wooden coffin which will be closed before it is carried out into Saint Peter's Square for Friday's funeral.
Up to two million faithful, along with as many as 200 world leaders are expected to attend the service. John Paul will be buried in a crypt below Saint Peter's Basilica, his body entombed inside three coffins.
Meanwhile, cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church met for a second day but have yet to set a date for the conclave that will elect the next leader of the world's one-point-one billion Catholics.