29 September 1978: Catholics mourn Pope's death

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has died after the shortest papal reign in history. Pope John Paul, the surprise candidate elected just 33 days ago, died of a heart attack while reading in bed. The body of the "smiling pope", who charmed crowds with his easy manner, is lying in state in the Clementine Hall in the Vatican, and a growing throng of mourners are gathering to file past it. The church's cardinals must now return to Rome to elect a new pope in the secret Sistine Chapel ballot. Cardinal Albini Luciano was chosen to be Pope on 26 August after one of the shortest voting periods in the Vatican's history. Despite his brief reign, the Italian son of a socialist stonemason had become very popular with Catholics and non-Catholics alike. US President Jimmy Carter said Pope John Paul had "captured the imagination of his Church and the world" during his few weeks in office.