Moakley funeral reunites Bush, Gore

The casket containing the body of Rep. Joe Moakley is brought into a Boston church for a funeral service Friday

BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- President Bush and former Vice President Al Gore attended Friday's funeral Mass for Rep. Joe Moakley, the Massachusetts Democrat who died Monday at age 74 of complications from leukemia.

Bush met privately with the Moakley family prior to the service at St. Brigid's Church in South Boston.

Others who attended were former President Bill Clinton, a large House delegation led by Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Missouri, and a number of senators and other politicians.

Seated in the front pew were the president and his wife, Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift, Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, and his wife, Gore, Rep. David Bonior, D-Michigan, Clinton and Gephardt.

GALLERY Images of memorial services for Rep. Moakley    VIDEO The service for former U.S. Rep. Joseph Moakley, (D) Massachusetts, draws two presidents and a pack of Kennedys. CNN's John King reports (June 1) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Bill Delaney looks back on the life of U.S. Congressman Joseph Moakley (May 28) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

After a choir of schoolchildren sang to the assembly, eight pallbearers carried the coffin into the church as bagpipes droned and an honor guard stood at attention.

Hundreds of people lined the street outside the church, listening to what was going on inside on loudspeakers.

Signs were hung in front of bakeries and pubs bidding him farewell: "We miss you, Joe," "Thank you, Joe," and "Good-bye, Joe."

A South Boston, Irish-Italian-American Catholic, Moakley was as comfortable in the halls of power of Congress -- where he served as Rules Committee chairman -- as he was at home in Boston.

Moakley's faith helped him through his illness, said Monsignor Thomas J. McDonnell during the homily. Within the past two weeks, Moakley told him his battle with leukemia hadn't cost him a night's sleep. "He knew, he knew he was going to meet God," the priest said.

McDonnell credited Moakley's integrity, authenticity, care and compassion for the outpouring of affection. "While Joe was not without fault, his virtues outweighed any faults he had," he said.

"Joe's legacy to us was to be a role model of these virtues," he said. "He also challenges us now to make these virtues alive in our heart, and, if we do, whatever our vocation, our country and our world will become a better place."

CNN Senior White House Correspondent John King contributed to this story