World leaders pay tribute to late Pontiff
Saturday, 2 April 2005
The death of Pope John Paul has brought tributes from around the world.
The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said that the world has lost a religious leader who was 'revered across people of all faiths and none'.
While in a statement from Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth II expressed her 'deep sorrow' at the death of the Pope.
The US President, George W Bush, said 'the world has lost a champion of human freedom' with the death of the Pope. He said the 84-year-old had been an inspiration to millions of Americans.
UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, praised the late Pope as a man of peace and a great supporter of the United Nations.
He said he was 'deeply saddened' by news of his death.
Reacting to the news, French President Jacques Chirac said he was 'deeply moved' and that all of France was in mourning. While Italy's President, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, said he was 'mourning the Holy Father with all Italians'.
German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, said that Pope John Paul had 'changed our world' and played a major role in the development of a peaceful Europe.
- Nine News: Pope John Paul II dies in Rome
