Catholics across Oxfordshire gathered to pray for Pope John Paul II on Friday night.

In Oxford, a sombre mood prevailed at the Oratory in St Giles where scores of people attended mass.

The church's pews were lined with people eager to pray for a man many said was special, precious and holy.

Well-wishers were also pouring into the church from the street, lighting candles and bowing their heads in prayer.

Father Daniel, from the Oratory, said: "Many people have been coming in and saying prayers and lighting candles all day."

Gill Atkinson, a 61-year-old Catholic, from Walton Manor, Oxford, said: "I am here because I want to say special prayers for the Pope. I feel very sad. I, like many Catholics, feel very close to him. He has done a fantastic job, particularly in the last few years when he has not always been in good health. He has been unfailing and never swayed by anything around him. This is a sad time."

Asta Simpson, 76, of Summertown, also attended mass at the church and would not want to be anywhere else at this time. She said: "Praying for the Pope is the only thing we can do. He has been a fantastic Pope."

Felicity Loldono, of St Clement's, said she felt the Catholic community was pulling together to pray for a man regarded as the most widely travelled and well-respected Pope.

She said: "He has been great for the Church and understandably there are many people here feeling huge sadness. Lots of people feel very close to him. He has done so much."

Adeleo Matamala, a Chilean academic studying in Oxford for six months, said he felt a mixture of emotions.

"I feel sad, but at the same time I do feel a deep relief as he has been gravely ill for some time. I also feel glad that he has been able to achieve so much. We must hope that the new Pope achieves as much."