``I've been praying for him all along, asking God to do his will,'' said Maria McCourt, emerging from St. Paul Catholic Church in Carrollwood after the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. ``I hope he's not suffering.''

Outside, McCourt praised the pontiff's achievements.

``He's been such an active pope,'' she said, ``spreading the joy of his faith with everyone, not just Catholics. He wanted us to live our faith by doing service to others, not just thinking about ourselves.''

During the noon Mass at St. Paul, the Rev. Jose Joy asked the faithful to ``pray for the Holy Father's peace and comfort.''

News of the pope's worsening condition seemed to have attracted more worshippers than usual to the lunchtime Mass.

``This is our first time here,'' said Chris Barnard, who recently arrived from Michigan with her husband, Larry. ``We said a special prayer for the pope.''

``He's been a terrific pontiff,'' Larry Barnard added.

At Incarnation Catholic Church in Town 'N Country, about 20 people prayed in the chapel, where Easter lilies and carnations surrounded the altar and a statue of the Virgin greeted visitors outside.

``I prayed God's will will be done,'' said Maricruz Medina, speaking in Spanish as she left the chapel. ``He is the person closest to God. He did everything to better us and our faith in God.

``He has been a perfect spiritual leader, uniting everyone, not just Christians and Catholics.''

As a cancer survivor, Medina said she has drawn strength from the ailing spiritual leader.

``He has given me fortitude, as has God,'' she said. ``He is suffering, like God did. He is suffering with dignity and respect and teaching us all a lesson.''

Malcolm Carter said his prayer was for the pope to be comfortable.

``I've been praying for him all day,'' Carter said. ``He's the third pope I've seen in my lifetime and the one I have known the longest. I hope the next pope will follow his guidelines.''

Bob Beaudry recalled when the pope was shot in 1981 during an audience in St. Peter's Square.

``My mother and sister were at the Vatican when he was shot,'' he said. ``It was such a painful time. I've drawn a lot of strength from him personally. He was a great spiritual leader. He helped unify the world and Christianity.''

At St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Hudson, the faithful gathered Friday for two regularly scheduled services: Devotion to the Divine Mercy and the Benediction. The pope was on their minds and in their prayers.

Church member Peg Abare said all Christians, not just Catholics, would miss the pope.

``When something happens to him and Jesus takes him home, we've all lost a father,'' Abare said. ``We know that he's going to a much better place than we are. A better, better, better, better place.''

The Rev. Tomy John, originally from Kerela, India, marveled that just days ago, the pope appeared at his window and blessed the crowd, even though he must have felt quite sick.

John said he admired the pontiff's staunchly pro-life stance and the fact he spoke out about religious and political issues.

``He's a man of prayer, and he mingles with all the people,'' John said, ``the kids, the disabled. I think his people are his joy.''

Even Catholics not attending services Friday planned tributes to the pontiff.

Ed Styczynski, of Riverview, said he's considering fasting this weekend as an expression of his concern.

``I think he's a man of vision,'' said Styczynski, among the volunteers at the Sun City Center Emergency Squad. ``He's dedicated to the spirit of youth, and that's our future. He has a heart for young people especially.''

Styczynski said he identifies with what the pope is going through because he had a bout with cancer last year and was fed through a nasal tube.

Sue Landers, also of Sun City Center, said the pope has always been in her prayers.

``And I pray that he does not suffer anymore,'' she said. ``He's been a wonderful pope, a listening and caring pastoral pope.''

Reporters Liz Bleau and Monica Scandlen contributed to this report. Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656.