WORSHIPPERS at churches of all denominations in Bromsgrove joined in prayer on Sunday to celebrate the life and mourn the death of Pope John Paul II.
The 84-year-old head of the Roman Catholic church died on Saturday evening after a long illness.
On Sunday, All Saints' in Birmingham Road, was one Anglican church in the town where prayers were said and a vigil candle burned all day.
Father Pat Branigan, the parish priest at St Peter's Roman Catholic church in Bromsgrove, spoke of the courage and fortitude which the pope had shown during the latter years of his life when his illness was beginning to take its toll.
"He was a great man and we were lucky to have had him so long," he said.
Father Branigan added that a mass will be held at St Peter's church, on Rock Hill, next Tuesday at 7pm for parishioners to say their personal farewells.
In a tribute, the Rt Rev Peter Selby, the Bishop of Worcester, said: "Pope John Paul has been a towering figure who really did affect the course of world history and believed in the possibility of peace through some of the world's darkest days."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article