VATICAN CITY – John Paul II, who led the Roman Catholic Church
for 26 years and helped topple communism in Europe while becoming
the most-traveled pope, died Saturday night in his Vatican
apartment after a long public struggle against debilitating
illness. He was 84.
"We all feel like orphans this evening," Undersecretary of State
Archbishop Leonardo Sandri told the crowd of 70,000 that had
gathered in St. Peter’s Square below the pope’s still-lighted
apartment windows.
The assembled faithful fell into a stunned silence before some
people broke out in applause – an Italian tradition in which
mourners often clap for important figures. Others wept.
The crowd, which appeared to grow quickly, recited the rosary. A
person in the front held a Polish flag in honor of the Polish-born
pontiff.
Prelates asked those in the square to keep silent so they might
"accompany the pope in his first steps into heaven."
Later, as bells tolled in mourning, a group of young people
sang, "Alleluia, he will rise again," while one of them strummed a
guitar.
A Mass was scheduled for St. Peter’s Square for 10:30 a.m. (1:30
a.m. PST) Sunday.
In contrast to the church’s ancient traditions, Navarro-Valls
announced the death in an e-mail to journalists: "The Holy Father
died this evening at 9:37 p.m. (11:37 a.m. PST) in his private
apartment." The spokesman said church officials were following
instructions that John Paul had written for them on Feb. 22,
1996.
John Paul declined rapidly after suffering heart and kidney
failure following two hospitalizations in as many months. Just two
hours before announcing his death, the Vatican had said he was in
"very serious" condition, although he was responding to aides.
Since his surprise election in 1978, John Paul traveled the
world, inspiring a revolt against communism in his native Poland
and across the Soviet bloc, but also preaching against consumerism,
contraception and abortion.
John Paul was a robust 58 when the cardinals stunned the world
and elected the cardinal from Krakow, the first non-Italian pope in
455 years.
In his later years, however, John Paul was the picture of
frailty. Although he kept up his travels, he was no longer able to
kiss the ground.
Italy’s ANSA news agency said Vatican and Italian flags were
being lowered to half-staff across Rome and elsewhere. In
Washington, flags over the White House also were lowered to
half-staff.
Earlier Saturday, Navarro-Valls said John Paul was not in a coma
and opened his eyes when spoken to. But he added: "Since dawn this
morning, there have been first signs that consciousness is being
affected."
The pope was last seen in public Wednesday when, looking gaunt
and unable to speak, he briefly appeared at his window.
His health sharply deteriorated the next day after he suffered a
urinary tract infection.