ROMAN CATHOLICS who came together to mourn Pope John Paul were told he was a faith leader who urged people to banish fear from their hearts.

Prayers were said for the Pontiff at churches across York and North and East Yorkshire yesterday - the morning after he died in his private apartment at the Vatican.

Some were too upset to attend Mass, but others sought comfort from the prayers, and company of their friends.

At Our Lady's Church in Acomb, Father Pat Smith read aloud a letter from Methodist minister Colin Smith, assuring local Roman Catholics they were in the prayers and thoughts of Methodists.

It was standing room only at St Wilfrid's Church, in Duncombe Place, York, where Canon Michael Ryan told his congregation one of the greatest things Pope John Paul II had done was to urge the world not to be afraid.

"He was a man who was not afraid, a man who was able to give people encouragement and enthusiasm for the Gospel," he said.

He added: "His main interest was human rights; he was a passionate believer in human rights and the dignity of each individual.

"He was a great gatherer of people."

Bernadette Ruane, 46, said Canon Ryan had been right to remember the Pope telling the world not to be afraid.

She said: "I think it's fear that restricts us. If you have no fear, then anything's possible, and I really do think that that's what the Pope tried to do all around the world.

"In Catholic churches around the world everyone will be feeling the same thing; thanks that God gave us his life and I suppose regret that that bit of it has ended."

Father Derek Turnbull, spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough, which includes York and North Yorkshire, said Catholics had been as impressed with the way in which the Pope died as they were with the way he lived.

He said: "He's given the modern world a tremendous example of facing the inevitability of death in a calm and faithful way.

"I think Catholics in the Diocese of Middlesbrough are remembering 1982 when he came to visit the area. There are lots of people who went to York and saw him at a distance and I think their memories are very much coming back to that amazing event."

The Anglican Bishop of Selby, the Right Reverend Martin Wallace, said: "The Pope has been a tireless and fearless leader over many years, and has been an inspiration to millions.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those Christians who look to Rome for leadership. The process will soon begin to seek a new leader who will relate the ever-changing issues of the 21st century to the changeless truths of Jesus Christ.

"This will undoubtedly mean some hard decisions and some new directions will have to be faced, and for that the chosen man of God will need all our support and prayers."

The great communicator

HE has been hailed as the "people's Pope" and the greatest communicator of the Roman Catholic Church.

Now Pope John Paul II has died, Roman Catholics in York, North and East Yorkshire have been left with poignant memories from his visit to York in 1982.

Canon Michael Ryan, of St Wilfrid's Church, said he was involved in the Pope's visit to York Racecourse.

"My thoughts of him were that he was a very warm human being and a very strong man," he said.

"Very strong and firm, but with that was a compassion. He had very, very compassionate eyes and a love radiated from the man.

"I think the Catholics of York will be feeling sadness. He wasn't just a Pope or the head of the church, in a number of ways he was loved. They really had an affection for him because of his human warmth. They felt part of the Catholic family and he had a fatherly interest in them."

Dr David Hope, former Archbishop of York, said he and two others had a private audience with the Pope at the Vatican in 2000.

He said: "He was very attentive, very sharp and very keen. One had the impression that here was someone who was of immense stature and a person who gave real inspiration to other Christians, someone who cared deeply about unity and about people as a whole."

Sister Mary Walmsley, Sister-in-Charge at York's Bar Convent, said: "That day on Knavesmire was just a day not to be forgotten by anybody who was there. There were so many people, but they were all so peaceful and happy, almost in a holiday mood.

"One of the highlights was when the Pope mentioned both Margaret Clitherow and Mary Ward (famous Catholic women who died in York). It felt like he was part of the community of York, we stood on our chairs and cheered.

"We have quite a few elderly Sisters at the convent and I think he's been a real example to people whose lives are coming to an end, on how to try and carry on and accept it. Over the last few weeks he has wanted to share his ways of preparing for death and going to his maker.

"He was also a wonderful example to young people. They did warm to him so much because he was such a good communicator.

"He did love young people. Most of the young people will not have known any other Pope and it will be rather moving and poignant for them."

BBC Radio York presenter Elly Fiorentini attended Mass at St Wilfrid's. She met the Pope during his 1982 visit and later saw him at the Vatican.

"His hope was very much for young people," she said.

"When I saw him at the Vatican it was fantastic. He came out and he was like a pop star - everyone was jumping up and shouting his name and he loved it.

"He cared about young people and believed that young people had a voice and he listened to that voice."

Updated: 10:06 Monday, April 04, 2005