16862/5CATHOLICS across west and north Wiltshire are in mourning after the death of Pope John Paul II on Saturday.

Tributes have been pouring in to one of the longest serving and most highly regarded pontiffs in history in the run-up to his funeral today.

Father Christopher Whitehead of St George's Church, Warminster, said: "We mourn a man of greatness, a man who has really given us confidence to be Catholic in this world of today, a man with the courage of his convictions who calls us to stand up and be counted, to stand up and truly live the gospel."

The congregation at the St Anthony of Padua Church, Melksham, commemorated the life of one of the most influential men of this century at a Requiem Mass on Wednesday.

Father Richard Northey paid tribute to the Pope's policy of openness and communication.

He said: "He made far more contact with people than any other Pope and travelled to about 130 countries, keeping in touch with people.

"He was very strong in teaching the faith at a time when secular values and secular trends are tending to influence people more and more."

For many people in Trowbridge the death of the Pope was a double blow as the Polish community mourned the loss not just of a spiritual leader but a man widely regarded as the most important Pole in history.

Canon Liam O'Driscoll of St John's Church said: "The love of Christ shone from his face in that warm friendly glow of love for his people.

"He identified with the hopes and fears of people everywhere. He spoke to the poor and oppressed."

In Chippenham about 800 people attended four services at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and so many people wanted to pay their last respects that an extra memorial service was held on Wednesday evening.

Father Desmond Millett said: "Pope John Paul touched the lives of so many, both catholic and non-catholic. His moral stand and moral leadership seems to have appealed to so many.

"He was undoubtedly the most influential voice for humanity and for peace in our world."

Pope John Paul II was born Karol Jozef Wojtyla in the Polish market town of Wadowice in 1920.

He went on to become the 261st successor to St Peter and was the first non-Italian Pope for more than four centuries.

The charismatic pontiff was credited with playing a fundamental role in the fall of communism.