A SINGLE candle burned in York today as the city's Catholics mourned the death of Pope John Paul II.

As millions of mourners descended on St Peter's Basilica in Rome for the Pontiff's funeral, a series of masses were held at Catholic churches in and around York.

At the Bar Convent, in Nunnery Lane, a memorial service was held in the Pope's honour. Nuns lit a candle before holding a special requiem mass.

The convent's business manager, Mandy Hildred, said: "We held a Requiem Mass to celebrate the life of the Pope. Normally, we hold a public Mass every Friday at midday, but today was a special one with additional people coming."

Similar masses were also held at Ampleforth Abbey at noon and at St John the Evangelist in Easingwold at 9.30am.

Father Charles Macauley, the parish priest at St John's said: "We had a special mass to honour the Pope, at around the same time as the funeral."

At the University of York, a service for staff and students was being held at the campus chaplaincy by Father Damian Cassidy.

The Pope has a special place in the hearts of York and North Yorkshire people after he visited the historic city in 1982.

Hundreds of thousands flocked to Knavesmire on May 31 to witness the Holy Father's visit.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Middlesbrough unveiled plans for a simultaneous mass at the three key cities in the area next week.

At St Wilfrid's Church, in Duncombe Place, York, as well as in Middlesbrough and Hull - mourners will gather next Thursday for a solemn service.

Invitations for the York mass, led by the Very Reverend Canon Michael Ryan, have been extended to the Anglican Bishop of Selby, as well as the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Janet Looker. Local MPs have also been invited.

A diocese spokesman said: "There were masses and services held in locations all across the diocese and there will be a simultaneous mass next Thursday.

"We have been overwhelmed by the depth of feeling for this man - we have noticed more people coming to church and masses have been very well supported.

"It just shows the strength of character of Pope John Paul II and the effect he had on others."

St John's in Easingwold will also be holding a special memorial mass in honour of the Holy Father on Wednesday, April 13, starting at 7.30pm.


:: Story first published on Friday, April 8, 2005