Political reaction: Political leaders united yesterday to pay tribute to Pope John Paul. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described him as "a towering figure in the story of our time" and "a wonderful man" who had worked tirelessly to create better relations with other faiths.
Expressing "great sorrow" at the Pope's death, Mr Ahern, who wore black, said he had particularly touched a chord with young people.
"The most moving pictures that impressed everybody that I have spoken to in the last 72 hours is to see the sheer volume, the tens of thousands of people on the right side of 30 that are in St Peter's.
"That is something that I think he would be very deeply pleased with," said Mr Ahern, who has ordered all public buildings to fly the Tricolour at half-mast until the funeral is over.
He said President Mary McAleese would attend the funeral. "Who else will (go will) depend on what the Vatican state says over the course of today and tomorrow. We won't have a national day of mourning as such, but between now and the funeral we will fully participate. We would ask all people to comply not just for one day but for all."
Former MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon expressed "surprise and dismay" at this last night.
"I would ask the Taoiseach to immediately reconsider. There is an affinity between the Pope and the Irish people. We must not miss this historic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for families, mothers, fathers and children to stand in solidarity and mourn Pope John Paul II as a truly great leader, and for the values he upheld."
The Taoiseach continued: "While his life and mission have been devoted to the service of the church, he has been a towering figure in the story of our time. He played a decisive role in the peaceful reintegration of our continent, ending decades of division and oppression.
"It was a source of great satisfaction to him that his beloved Poland, with the other new member states, joined the European Union on May 1st last during the Irish EU presidency.
"He was tireless in the causes of peace, reconciliation and equitable and sustainable development," said Mr Ahern , when he spoke to journalists in Government Buildings.
He said the Pope had been keen to return to Ireland, and particularly to visit Northern Ireland.
"Last autumn there were tentative arrangements, which obviously had to be cancelled because of his poor health, that he would come again, and particularly that he would come to Armagh."
Tánaiste Mary Harney described the Pope as "one of the true iconic figures of the late 20th century and an inspirational spiritual leader to billions of people around the globe for over a generation".
"I was immensely touched by John Paul's visit to his would-be assassin Ali Agca in prison in 1983, when he spoke with and forgave the man who had tried to murder him two years earlier in St Peter's Square."
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny recalled the papal visit to Ireland "when it seemed the whole country was united in celebration".
Those who saw him in health "will have particularly sympathised with him in his recent illness and incapacity".
"He reached out to millions of people from all nations with his charisma, good humour, force of personality and basic humanity."
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte said the Pope would be remembered as "a strong opponent of war, a proponent of peace and a powerful advocate" for the world's poor".
"The Pope was a man who held strong and sometimes controversial views on religious matters, but nobody was ever in any doubt as to the strength and vigour of his convictions."
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent paid tribute to the Pope's "hunger for justice and global vision".
