Crowds gathered in Vatican City on Sunday to commemorate the first anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death, some carrying banners calling for his sainthood.

The vigil ended with a blessing by Pope Benedict XVI, following a moment of silence at 9:37 p.m. local time, the exact minute when John Paul passed away on April 2, 2005.

"He continues to be present in our minds and our hearts; he continues to communicate his love for God and his love for man, he continues to arouse in everyone, especially the young, enthusiasm for goodness and the courage to follow Jesus and his teachings," Benedict told gatherers in St. Peter's Square.

Gatherers held candles during the vigil. One group of Poles carried a large banner that read "John Paul the Great Santo Subito," referring to similar banners raised during the late pope's funeral, asking for his immediate canonization.

Vatican officials estimated about 10,000 gatherers came to the city from Poland, where John Paul was born. The blessing was simultaneously broadcast in the Polish city of Krakow.

Another 8,000 faithful held an open-air ceremony in John Paul's home town of Wadowice at noon.

"We came to pray for his quick beatification and also to pray to him to protect our family," Wojciech Gladysz, 33, told The Associated Press.

Catholics around the world paid tribute to John Paul, demonstrating the widespread influence of the most-travelled pope in history.

In Mexico City's Basilica of the Virgin of Guadalupe, some followers held a banner that read "Juan Pablo II, God's athlete." John Paul had visited Mexico five times.

On the other side of the planet in India, thousands joined Sister Nirmala, who succeeded Mother Teresa, to commemorate the John Paul. Along with Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, the archbishop of Washington, Nirmala called him a figure of peace.

In Toronto, Father Wojtek Blach credited John Paul with helping him find direction in his life.

"I had some difficult times when I was a young person, and because of him and his influence it changed my life and I became a priest," Blach told CTV News.

John Paul visited Canada three times as pope. His last visit was during World Youth Day in July 2002. Despite poor health, he flew to Toronto and descended from the plane under his own strength.

Benedict recalled John Paul's final days during the vigil, saying his suffering and frailty brought light to the dignity of all human beings. John Paul had suffered from Parkinson's disease and many other ailments.

"His illness, which he faced with courage, made us all aware of human pain, of every physical and spiritual pain; he gave suffering dignity and value, showing that man isn't just worthy because of his efficiency and how he appears, but because of himself, because he is created and loved by God," Benedict told the crowd.

John Paul died after slipping into a coma for two hours. Earlier that day, he uttered his final words: "Let me go to the house of the Father."

With files from CTV's Scott Laurie and The Associated Press