5 Apr 2005

PNG mourns Pope's death

1:48 pm on 5 April 2005

Flags in Papua New Guinea will be flown at half mast to mark the death of Pope John Paul II.

The Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, has requested that flags remain at half mast until the Pontiff is buried.

Nearly two million Catholics in PNG and Solomon Islands are expected to attend special masses being held this week to honour John Paul.