The body of the Pontiff was dressed in red and white vestments with a white mitre and brown shoes, and flanked by two Swiss guards.

Before the viewing, during a mass at St. Peter"s Square, the Vatican"s Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano delivered the pope´s final message.

More than 100,000 people crowded the square and Via della Conciliazione, a broad avenue connecting Castel Sant Angelo with the Vatican.

"Love converts hearts and brings peace,"" Sodano said, reading it to the crowd.

Polish-born Karol Jozef Wojtyla was the first non-Italian pope in the last 450 years, the third- longest-serving, surpassed only by Pius IX and St. Peter, and by far the most traveler.

According to an official statement from the Vatican, the body will be moved to St. Peter"s tomorrow at 5 p.m. to begin the public viewing.

Italian authorities have issued special measures to cope with the crowds expected to come to the Vatican for the burial of the head of the most influential Christian church.

By: Prensa-Latina