Bush, Bush Sr. and Clinton to attend funeral

Carter spokesman Jon Moor said the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was in the White House when John Paul was elected and greeted him during a papal visit, had "expressed to the White House a desire to attend the pope's funeral."

But Moor said Carter "was quite willing to withdraw his request when he was subsequently informed that the official delegation would be limited to just five people, and there were also others who were eager to attend."

Also in the delegation will be first lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Carter's spokesman said the decision to skip the funeral was not related to the 80-year-old former president's health.

The former president and his wife, Rosalynn, will be honoring the pope "in spirit," Moor added.

Carter, a Democrat, was a strong critic of Bush in last year's US election campaign.