Boston service for bombing victims draws thousands – in pictures

President Barack Obama attends the interfaith prayer service for victims of the Boston Marathon attack Photograph: Spencer Platt/EPA

People queue for security check outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross where Barack Obama is scheduled to attend an interfaith service for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings Photograph: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

Marathon runner Nathan Finney of Boston and his daughter Mckenna, five, gather with others ahead of the interfaith service on Thursday Photograph: Matt Rourke/AP

Boston mayor Tom Menino passes President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama after speaking at the interfaith healing service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston Photograph: Charles Krupa/AP

A nun holds a pair of rosary beads along with her ticket as she waits to enter the Cathedral of the Holy Cross for the interfaith service in Boston on Thursday Photograph: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

Cellist YoYo Ma performs during the service Photograph: CJ Gunther/EPA

A nun hugs a woman at the prayer service Photograph: Spencer Platt/EPA

Barack Obama greets congressman Ed Markey and Michelle Obama greets Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick at Logan Airport in Boston as they arrive to attend the memorial service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Photograph: Kevin LaMarque/Reuters

A jogging shoe is seen at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings on Boylston street early Thursday morning Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Barack and Michelle Obama walk toward the Marine One helicopter prior to their departure for Boston Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Boston police officers on bicycles patrol outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Photograph: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

A man raises his hands while looking skyward during a vigil for bomb victims outside the Cambridge City Hall on Wednesday night Photograph: Adrees Latif/Reuters

Members of the Boston fire department honour guard hold flags during the singing of the national anthem before the start of an NHL hockey game between the Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres on Wedneday. It was the first major sporting event to be held in Boston since the explosions Photograph: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters