Post by ShenmueAddict on Apr 2, 2005 22:15:03 GMT
Well it came as no surprise to me as i had been hearing radio updates of his condition all the time at work, sad news but he was very ill.
Source: AOL
The Pope finally succumbed to his lingering illness and died at 8.37pm on Saturday evening, the Vatican announced.
The 84-year-old pontiff's poor health worsened further as he suffered from a failing heart and kidneys.
Millions of Catholics in the UK joined worldwide prayers, while tens of thousands of faithful have kept a vigil in St Peter's Square.
The Holy See said in a statement: "The Holy Father died this evening at 8.37pm in his private apartment. All the procedures outlined in the apostolic Constitution 'Universi Dominici Gregis' that was written by John Paul II on February 22, 1996, have been put in motion."
The announcement came from papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls and was distributed to journalists via e-mail. John Paul expired as cardinals were leading some 70,000 people in prayers for him in his "last journey".
The Pope died after suffering heart and kidney failure following two hospitalisations in as many months. Just a few hours earlier, the Vatican had said he was in "very serious" condition with a high fever but responded to members of the papal household.
Tributes poured in from Britain and around the world for the pontiff, who had shunned hospital to remain in his quarters at the Vatican.
Conservative leader Michael Howard said that he had been a "very great spiritual leader. The deep sense of loss felt by Catholics at the passing of the Pope will be shared by many millions more, of other faiths and of none," he said.
"In a world of change and uncertainty, people saw him as a rock: steadfast in support of freedom, unswerving in opposition to totalitarianism, robust in defence of Christian values. The Catholic Church has lost a truly remarkable Pope, and the world a very great spiritual leader."
The 84-year-old pontiff's poor health worsened further as he suffered from a failing heart and kidneys.
Millions of Catholics in the UK joined worldwide prayers, while tens of thousands of faithful have kept a vigil in St Peter's Square.
The Holy See said in a statement: "The Holy Father died this evening at 8.37pm in his private apartment. All the procedures outlined in the apostolic Constitution 'Universi Dominici Gregis' that was written by John Paul II on February 22, 1996, have been put in motion."
The announcement came from papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls and was distributed to journalists via e-mail. John Paul expired as cardinals were leading some 70,000 people in prayers for him in his "last journey".
The Pope died after suffering heart and kidney failure following two hospitalisations in as many months. Just a few hours earlier, the Vatican had said he was in "very serious" condition with a high fever but responded to members of the papal household.
Tributes poured in from Britain and around the world for the pontiff, who had shunned hospital to remain in his quarters at the Vatican.
Conservative leader Michael Howard said that he had been a "very great spiritual leader. The deep sense of loss felt by Catholics at the passing of the Pope will be shared by many millions more, of other faiths and of none," he said.
"In a world of change and uncertainty, people saw him as a rock: steadfast in support of freedom, unswerving in opposition to totalitarianism, robust in defence of Christian values. The Catholic Church has lost a truly remarkable Pope, and the world a very great spiritual leader."
Source: AOL
