In pictures: Prayers for the Pope

1 of 12 Large crowds have converged on St Peter's Square anxiously awaiting news about Pope John Paul II.

2 of 12 The Catholic world is hanging on every word of the Vatican's spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls.

3 of 12 The Vatican's Bronze Door remains open for now - its sudden closure traditionally marks the death of a pontiff.

4 of 12 Worshippers across the globe are praying, aware that any service could turn into a requiem for the Holy Father.

5 of 12 This nun was among the crowds at a vigil on Friday night at the Vatican.

6 of 12 Some spend the nights under the Pope's apartment in St Peter's Square in the Vatican.

7 of 12 In the Pope's birthplace of Wadowice, Poland, churchgoers are praying for the town's most famous son.

8 of 12 This young Irishwoman prayed for the pontiff at a special mass in Dublin.

9 of 12 These Catholics prayed at Abidjan's Saint Paul cathedral in Ivory Coast.

10 of 12 Nicaragua, like other strongly Catholic states in Latin America, has seen special services.

11 of 12 Church services were also held among Indonesia's Christian community.

12 of 12 This man was kneeling before a shrine in Los Angeles, California.