Mourners attend the state funeral ceremony following the earthquake in Aquila April 10, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

More than 8,000 weeping mourners took part in national funerals on Friday for 289 victims of the earthquake that hit the capital L'Aquila of Abruzzo region, central Italy.

Friday was declared a day of national mourning and a moment of silence was observed nationwide.

At least 205 flower-covered coffins were laid out in the city square, brown for adults and white for 20 children among the victims.

The mass service was led by Vatican's second highest official, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who said that death teaches people " everything can stop in a moment and when everything ends all that remains is love."

The Vatican granted a special dispensation to hold a Mass on Good Friday, the only day on the Roman Catholic calendar on which Mass is not normally said.

Women kneel over a coffin during a state funeral for earthquake victims in the Italian town of L'Aquila April 10, 2009.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

Sadness and pain filled the square. Desperate mothers and fathers clutched the white coffins of their deceased children, people cried and hugged each other. The list of names of the victims was read out loud. More than a hundred psychologists are assisting the victims' families and survivors.

Prime Minister Berlusconi, President Giorgio Napolitano and other institutional leaders took part in the funerals.

"People have been asking me, please don't leave us alone. I made a promise to them in front of their coffins," said Berlusconi. "The government has assumed this responsibility. I will even offer several of my homes to those in need."

A solidarity message from Pope Benedict XVI was read by his secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, at the opening of the collective funeral.

The Pope plans to visit Abruzzo after Easter.

(Xinhua News Agency April 11, 2009)