| Pope John Paul II |
In the document, the pontiff said he considered resigning in 2000. He also said he thought about being buried in his native Poland, but decided to leave that decision up to the College of Cardinals.
The pope requested that his personal notes be destroyed, and said he left no material property. He began writing the document a quarter-century ago, and also reflected on his family and youth, and said it was a miracle he survived an assassination attempt in 1981.
Meanwhile, thousands of people continue to wait hours to view the pope's body at St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican says some two million people have already passed by it.
President Bush and some 200 other world leaders are to attend the pope's funeral Friday. The pontiff will be interred in a crypt beneath the basilica.
Italian officials have imposed extraordinary security measures that include anti-aircraft missiles and instituting a no-fly zone over Rome.
Some information for this story provided by AP and AFP.