THOUSANDS of Catholics across the region joined worldwide prayers for the ailing Pope last night as he continued to cling to life in his Vatican apartments.

Tributes to his "extraordinary and wonderful life" poured in from clergymen and the faithful, as the critically-ill pontiff shunned hospital to remain in his quarters overlooking St Peter's Square.

Late last night, the Vatican reported that his condition had become notably compromised and that his breathing had grown shallow.

Officials also said that he had lost consciousness.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy- O'Connor, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, urged people to pray for the Pope, who has led the world's one billion Roman Catholics for 26 years.

He said: "It is not only my prayers and those of Catholics which are being offered, but those of fellow Christians and countless others who have grown to respect and admire this man, who has been in so many ways a witness and extraordinarily important moral voice for the world."

Prayers were said at Westminster Cathedral's regular mass in London yesterday morning, and a steady stream of visitors lit candles in front of a photograph of John Paul II before the altar.

The Pope, who received the last rites on Thursday night, also appointed a large number of bishops and other church officials earlier yesterday.

The 84-year-old's health declined sharply yesterday, when he suffered septic shock and heart failure after contracting a urinary tract infection.

Kevin Dunn, the bishop of the region's largest Roman Catholic diocese, Hexham and Newcastle, said: "The Catholic community and many others keep vigil in prayer as we watch and wait."

Arrangements are in hand for a requiem mass to be staged at St Mary's RC Cathedral, in Newcastle, should the Pope lose his fight for life.

Father Michael Campion, the Dean at St Mary's, said: "He is facing his death as he faced the whole of his life - with great courage and faith."

Fr Campion, who like millions of pilgrims saw the Pope during his visit to York in 1982, added: "I think he has given us a supreme example of not just how to live, but, also, how to face dying."

Father Brian Murphy, from All Saints Church, in Ferryhill, County Durham, said: "He is such a great man and there is a great sense of loss. It is so sad now he is passing away."

In Northallerton, North Yorkshire, extra prayers were said for the Pope at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church during the 7pm mass.

Father Norman Jacobson said: "I can imagine that this is touching a lot of people."