Pope Dead: Southwark remembers

The Archbishop, speaking shortly after the announcement in Rome, said that the news came as a shock like a death in the family. "Concern for peace was one of the great marks of his papacy. He was a man of peace."

The Pope visited St George's Cathedral during his UK visit in 1982. He drove in the Popemobile direct from Buckingham Palace to Southwark and entered SE1 by way of Westminster Bridge Road.

In advance the cathedral was cleared of all pews and a carpet was put down so that sick people could be brought in to meet the Pope. The car park was covered with a huge marquee. Today a stained glass window depicts the Pope standing on the green carpet.

There will be a service of Solemn Vespers to honour the Holy Father on Thursday and a Solemn Requiem Mass offered on the Third Sunday of Easter 10 April. Full details will be announced shortly.