The funeral of Pope John Paul II, one of the largest in history, began on Friday on a windswept St Peter’s Square with an open-air requiem Mass attended by world leaders, Roman Catholic cardinals and a multitude of pilgrims. To the tolling of a bell, the pope’s coffin was carried out by 12 black-garbed Vatican officials.
The United States would be undermining international law and global stability if it attacks Iraq without UN approval, Secretary General Kofi Annan will say in a speech to the General Assembly on Thursday.