Special prayers were offered in memory of Pope John Paul II in Catholic churches across India.

Faithful offered prayers in memory of the Holy Father during their regular Sunday service.

Shillong has a special connection with the Pope as it was one of the cities that figured in his itinerary in 1986, when he was accorded a massive public reception.

The pontiff had conducted a special open air mass in the Golf Links area of Shillong.

The Archbishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore Diocese, Dr Antony Anandarayar condoled the death of the Pope.

A Kashmiri nun prays during a special mass in a Catholic Church in Srinagar.

Photograph: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images