Pope John Paul II dies at 84 (1920–2005)

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II, who led the Roman Catholic Church for more than a quarter century and became history's most-traveled pope, died on 2nd April 2005 Saturday evening, the Vatican said in a statement. "The angels welcome you," Vatican TV said after the announcement came from papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls. The news was immediately announced to around 60,000 gathered in St Peter's Square. "Our Holy Father John Paul, 84, has returned to the house of the Father," Archbishop Leonardo Sandri told the crowds. World leaders reacted quickly to the loss. "The world has lost a champion of peace and freedom" with the death of the pope, President Bush said in Washington.

Well traveled

According to the Vatican, John Paul visited more than 120 countries, taking him enough miles to go from the Earth to the moon three times.

He was the first pope to visit Cuba. His dream to visit the Holy Land came true early in the year 2000, when he traveled through Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Prime Minister's statement on the death of Pope John Paul II
2 April 2005

Tony Blair has sent his 'profound sympathy' to Catholic people around the world after the death of Pope John Paul II.He said that the world had lost a religious leader who was revered by people 'of all faiths and none'.

The PM met the Pope in 2003 and he remarked that John Paul II 'radiated warmth and kindness' during an 'unforgettable' meeting.

Pope John Paul II

Karol J. Wojtyla, who was born the second of two sons in Poland on 18 May 1920, was elected as John Paul II in October 1978. He made his First Holy Communion at age nine and was confirmed at 18. He worked in a quarry during the Second World War.

John Paul II was given priestly ordination in Cracow on 1 November 1946. As Pope he encountered many millions of pilgrims during more than 1000 General Audiences held at the Vatican.

Conservative Ratzinger elected Pope
19 TH APRIL 2005

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Cardinals on Tuesday elected conservative German prelate Joseph Ratzinger as the new leader of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics, succeeding Pope John Paul II. Ratzinger, 78, the Church's 265th pontiff, will take the name of Benedict XVI.