Presidents, prime ministers and kings from around the world joined around two million people in paying a final farewell Friday to Pope John Paul II; one of the largest religious gatherings in modern times.

‘We just wanted to say goodbye to our father for the last time,’ said Joanna Zmijewsla, 24, who traveled for 30 hours with her brother Szymon from a town near Kielce, Poland, and arrived at St. Peter’s at 1 a.m. Friday.

‘I’m here because I’m a believer but also to live a moment in history,’ said Stephan Aubert, wearing a French flag draped over his shoulders.