Topic: Pope John Paul II dies at the age of 84
Pope John Paul II dies at the age of 84 (1920~2005)
VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II, the Polish pontiff who led the Roman Catholic Church for more than a quarter century and became history's most-traveled pope, died today in his Vatican apartment. He was 84.
"The angels welcome you," Vatican TV said after the announcement came from papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls.
"The Holy Father, John Paul II, died at 9.37 p.m. in his private apartment. All procedures foreseen in the Apostolic Constitution `Universi Dominici Gregis,' promulgated by John Paul II on Feb. 22, 1996, have been activated," his statement said.
It was distributed to journalists via e-mail. John Paul expired as cardinals were leading some 70,000 people at St. Peter's Square in prayers for him in his "last journey."
Bells tolled at the Vatican and across Rome, and Vatican, Italian and European Union flags were being lowered to half-staff across the capital.