The world is mourning the loss of Pope John Paul II today as throngs of faithful silently file past his body at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

The Pope, who died Saturday at age 84 from organ failure in his papal apartment, was 59 years old when he was elevated to the papacy on October 16, 1978, making John Paul one of the youngest popes in history.

Born Karol Wojtyla in the small town of Wadowice, Poland, John Paul is the longest-reigning pope in Church history.

John Paul, the 264th pope, was one of the most controversial popes in modern history. After the sweeping reforms of Vatican II and Pope John XXIII in the mid-1900s, John Paul guided the Church in a more conservative position. John Paul frequently spoke out against abortion, birth control and other social issues.

The pope also spoke out against the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. The death of the long-reigning pontiff hit home to some UTM Catholics.

“It’s pretty devastating,” said Zane Gresback, who attends St. Jude in Martin.

Gresback is concerned about the uncertainty that will follow and the highly ritualized process of electing a successor at a conclave of cardinals.

“We’re hoping there’s a quality man to replace him,” said Gresback, who saw the pope at World Youth Day in 1994.

“The pope was a perfect staple for what our faith is. He was a great man, and he did so many things for society.”

John Paul’s official funeral will take place Friday morning.