Stuart Fegredo, above, lights a candle at Holy Rood Church in Groundwell Road 76803-10RELIGIOUS leaders in Swindon have spoken with fond affection of the lasting legacy of Pope John Paul II. As the faithful continued to pay their respects in St Peter's Square today, prayers were said across the town for the 84-year-old pontiff.

In a fitting tribute to the man who spent his 26-year papacy reaching out to all denominations, his death was mourned not just by Catholics, but by Anglicans, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus.

Speaking after a moving mass at St Mary's Church, Rodbourne Cheney, Father Liam Slattery, Dean of Swindon, said: "There was a great sense of sadness, and quite a few tears shed. As the Catholic family, we are mourning the loss of our spiritual father."

The Pope, he said, had taken the message of the church to the world. "He was a great communicator, and could speak with such depth and sincerity that he made everything sound palpable," he said.

Hundreds of worshippers at Holy Rood Church in Groundwell Road recited a special prayer, saying: "Grant that your servant John Paul, our Pope, whom you made vicar of Peter and shepherd of your church, may rejoice forever in the vision of your glory." Prayers were also said for his successor.

Praise for the Pope who died on Saturday night centred on his courage in speaking out on world affairs and human rights. Other people, however, spoke of how the longest serving Catholic leader of recent times had touched their own lives.

It was his visit to the UK in 1982 that inspired Father Kevin Hennessey, of St Mary's Church, to become a priest.

Speaking from Lourdes, where he is leading a pilgrimage by young Catholics, he said: "I was just 21 at the time, and I saw him on visits to Cardiff and Coventry. I was inspired by his concern for young people and the way he spoke about his faith. He really cared about young people and children."

Fr Hennessey, who is chaplain to St Joseph's Roman Catholic School, accompanied young Catholics from Swindon during visits to see him in Toronto in 2002 and in Rome in 2000. "The young people were just lifted by his optimism," he said. "We were due to see him in Cologne this year."

The Rev Canon Michael Johnson, Anglican Dean of Swindon and vicar of Wroughton, said the Pope's spirit touched all nations.

"He was a remarkable man," he said. "His visits to preach around the world will be the hallmark of his papacy. He was the Pope who came to the people. I also respected him for his willingness to speak out on what he believed in. He was a reflection of the love of God."

Azim Khan, spokesman for Broad Street mosque, also praised the Pope's courage in speaking out on political issues. "The Muslim community respected and admired him because he stood up for what he believed," he said.

"He supported the Palestin-ians and criticised the war in Iraq. This is a big loss for the Muslim world and we will be saying prayers for him."

Prayers were also said at the Sikh temple in Gorse Hill.

Dr Harbans Popli said: "Sikhism respects all other faiths, and we think of the Pope as a wonderful man.

"Every faith needs a figurehead, and he was an honest, kind man who did his best for peace and spread his message of love around the world."

Vijay Tanna, of Swindon's Hindu Samaj, said the Pope stood for all humanity."His death is a sad loss to all faiths, including Hinduism," he said. "He was the first Pope to reach out to all faiths, and he sent good wishes to Hindu leaders during celebrations like Diwali. He appreciated different faiths, but ultimately believed we share one religion."

A mass for the Pope takes place at 7.30pm on Wednesday at Holy Rood Church.

St Mary's Church in Tovey Road will hold a 'mass for the happy repose of the soul of the Pope' at 7.30pm on the day before his funeral the date has not yet been announced.

What next?

In a 1996 decree, Pope John Paul II prescribed these steps to be followed after a pontiff's death:

Vatican chamberlain, with others, verifies death.

Vatican announces death and summons College of Cardinals. Heavy chains block door of papal palace.

Chamberlain destroys symbols of pope's authority: fisherman's ring and dyes used to make lead seals for apostolic letters.

Funeral to be held within four to six days.

College of Cardinals temporarily governs church.

Conclave begins 15 to 20 days after death.

Cardinals eligible for conclave (those under age 80) sequestered within Vatican City and take oath of secrecy.

Any Roman Catholic is eligible for election as pope, but only cardinals have been selected since 1378.

Two ballots held each morning and afternoon in Sistine Chapel. If no one gets the required two-thirds majority after 12 days, cardinals may elect pope by simple majority.

Ballots burned after each round. Black smoke means no decision; white smoke signals that cardinals have chosen a pope.

New pope introduced at St Peter's Square.