The Pope on his visit to the parish on the outskirts of Rome:

Pope John Paul died worried that the world seemed dominated by the powers of evil, according to a sermon he had prepared for the day after his death, his successor Pope Benedict said on Sunday.

Benedict, visiting a parish on Rome’s southern outskirts, read parts of a sermon John Paul had prepared for use on April 3, 2005.

"To humanity, which at times seems lost and dominated by the powers of evil, by selfishness and fear, the risen Lord offers the gift of his love which forgives, reconciles and opens up the spirit to hope," the sermon said.