The Passing of Pope John Paul II, Vatican [REUTERS 2005-04-02] REUTERS/Max Rossi
File photo of Pope John Paul II observing a white dove released by children, from the window of his private apartment at the end of the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, on January 30, 2005. Pope John Paul II died on Saturday, the Vatican announced. The 84-year-old Pontiff, who had headed the Roman Catholic Church for 26 years, died at 9.37 p.m (1937 GMT), a statement said. "The Holy Father died this evening at 21.37 in his private apartment," the statement said.