People across the world are mourning the death of the Pope

Around 165 people live at the Penrhos Home Polish Village near Pwllheli.

Most of the people living there had remained in the UK after the Second World War, and moved to the village after retirement

On Sunday morning, Father Leliart led a mass, which around 80 people attended. He said villagers had been very sad when they heard the news.

"With great sorrow, they accepted the news about the death of the Holy Father," he said.

He said that people had joined in special prayers for the Pope, as he neared his death on Saturday.

A Requiem mass, also at the Our Lady and Saints Cynfil church, will take place on Wednesday evening, and another service will be held on the day of the Pope's funeral.

John Paul II, who was born near Krakow, Poland in 1920 and became the first non-Italian Pope in 455 years.

He died in the Vatican, surrounded by his closest Polish aides, after suffering heart and kidney problems.

'Important ambassador'

Michael Drewenski, general manager of the Penrhos Home village, said people there had reacted with sadness to the death, but they had been expecting the news.

"There is a sorrow that a person, an important man, is lost," he said.

He said residents saw the Pope not just as the head of the Catholic Church, but also as a Polish man.

"He represented Poland wherever he went - people knew he was from there - he was an important ambassador."

He added that some of the village's residents had met the Pope personally on pilgrimages.

"I have seen him four times, he was a Pope of the masses - he got around everywhere."