WATERSIDE parish priest the Rev Ray Lyons just had time to lead his congregation in special prayers before flying to Poland for a pilgrimage in respect to the life of Pope John Paul II.

He flies to the Pope's homeland to visit Krakow today, where the Pope was previously a priest and bishop, for a planned trip around the country's monuments.

Father Ray will pay his respects to his leader in the church where the Pope was Archbishop of Krakow and at his hometown of Wadowice.

He said: "I think it will be quite an amazing experience as we are staying at a spot which actually overlooks the cathedral.

"The trip has been planned for months so I believe that the timing must be a case of 'Godincidence'!

"Sheer courage is one of the things I most admired him for. He was afraid of no one as he had such confidence in his faith.

"He influenced people by his sheer holiness and he did change our world for the better.

"He was young at heart and challenged a whole generation of young people in a way no other world leader has been able to."