THOUSANDS of Catholics across Worcestershire were today joining millions across the globe to watch the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

Nuns from Stanbrook Abbey, in Callow End, near Worcester, gathered around the television to watch the service. One of the Benedictine nuns, Sister Maria, is in Rome for today's funeral. Tonight, as part of nine days of official mourning, St George's RC Church on Sansome Walk , Worcester, will be holding a requiem mass.

The church priest Father Paul Fitzpatrick said the televised coverage of the funeral at the Vatican in Rome was a time for prayer and reflection on their former spiritual leader's life.

"Coverage of the funeral at nine this morning was the focal point for people to watch and to pray," he said.

But the memory of the Pope will be at the forefront of people's minds as special services continue to be held in Worcester. Other Worcester churches - Our Lady Queen of Peace and St Joseph's in Chedworth Drive, Warndon - will also hold requiem mass services. St Joseph's will hold a requiem mass tomorrow at 10am, and a Holy Hour at 4pm. Our Lady Queen of Peace, on Bransford Road, St John's, will hold a special service to pray for the Pope's soul on Monday at 6.45pm.

Catholic churches in the city are set to hold Holy Hours on Sundays in the coming weeks as Cardinals in Rome elect a new Pope.