The Pope has just passed away

[pmkpmk]

The Vatican has just confirmed that Pope Johannes Paul II has passed away at 21:37 CET.

[vatican.va...] - server understandeably under heavy load right now.

[kodaks]

Very sad, he had led a long and fulfilling life. He will be missed.

Here is the full story as a CNN special report:
[cnn.com...]

[Essex_boy]

I dont a Catholic so I didnt know about his life until today, the Times covered it in great detail - Interesting to say the least.

[Mardi_Gras]

His was a remarkable story. It is a shame that he has been so terribly ill for so long that I had forgotten what a vibrant, powerful man he was when he became pope 26 years ago. The images I remember now are of a sick old man - I hope that is NOT how history remembers him. I don't think it will be - his accomplishments are too great to be subjugated to his failing health late in life.

[sem4u]

Sad day :(

[mattglet]

He was Pope longer than I've been alive, the only one I've ever known. He visited 170 countries, no doubt leaving a mark in every single one of them. I'd be hard pressed to find a better person in history.

RIP, Your Holiness.

[Jon_King]

Papa is a great loss. This day Heaven is the lucky one.

[Crush]

My hotel site for rome has gone crazy! People coming from all over the world to pay their last.

[Jon_King]

Crush, My Wife and I wanted to get there. Flight and a week stay, over $7000 US without meals. I wish I could afford that.

[pmkpmk]

Flight and a week stay, over $7000 US without meals.

Wonder what that might have been - say - 6 months ago. $3500? Or even as low as $1500? Well, there's always people who make money out of EVERYTHING!

[pmkpmk]

Habeamus Papam!

They don't know who it is so far though.

[Neo541]

Cardinals Select Ratzinger As New Pope

[foxnews.com ]

[Macguru]

>>As New Pope

>Ratzinger, who turned 78 on Saturday

At his age, I would find quite refreshing to be a newbie at anything. :)

[pmkpmk]

He looked very relaxed - almost joyful. Very unlike other images of him that I have seen. Well, who would have guessed that. A German as pope. The last German pope was some 400 years ago, and as a matter of fact he was really Dutch, only that the Netherlands belonged to Germany back then... Only 8 out of 250+ Popes so far from Germany at all.

On the other hand his last job was head of the Inquisition, and even for a cardinal he was VERY conservative. But we'll see how he will define his pontiff. Certainly the ultimate career move for him. (Sorry, couldn't resist).

[Leosghost]

"Penultimate" career move ...actually .."ultimate" career move for a cardinal is to become a Saint...;)