Thousands gather for Pope vigil

Organisers estimated up to 10,000 people joined the vigil

Thousands of people took part in a candlelit vigil through London to remember the life of Pope John Paul II.

Mourners carried Polish flags and candles in a procession from Trafalgar Square to Westminster Cathedral in central London.

The crowds gathered in the square to sing Polish songs for the Pope who will be buried in Rome on Friday.

Trafalgar Square was closed to traffic and roads in the area were heavily congested.

The event was organised by Polish radio station Radio Hey Now.

Editor George Matlock estimated up to 10,000 people joined the vigil, which was a listener's idea.

We knew that he was dying but I think Poles and maybe everyone all over the world was waiting for some kind of miracle Mouika Szpadliewicz, from Walsall

He said: "We had 60 hours to organise it and we estimated there would be between 50 and 100 people.

"There are many Polish people here but there are also a lot of British people because we broadcast in both languages."

Mouika Szpadliewicz, 24, from Walsall, said: "We want to be together to give honour to our Polish Pope, to feel a certain solidarity with other people here.

"When I heard the Pope had died I felt very upset.

"We knew that he was dying but I think Poles and maybe everyone all over the world was waiting for some kind of miracle."