An aide to Pope John Paul II has read out the dead pontiff's last message to pilgrims, in which he said "love converts hearts and gives peace," at a special mass in his memory in St Peter's Square.

Humanity "sometimes seems lost and dominated by the power of evil, selfishness and fear," said the message, read to a crowd of over 100,000 by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri.

Sandri, who had become the pope's spokesman at public liturgies as the frail pontiff's voice failed, said he was reading the message with "nostalgia".

The huge crowd burst into tumultuous applause as the pope's portrait was shown on giant screens erected around the square while the message was read out.

On hearing the message, many people broke into tears.

"To humanity, which sometimes seems to be lost and dominated by the power of evil, selfishness and fear, the risen Lord gives the gift of his love which forgives, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope," said the message.