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just heard on ITV the pope has passed away at just gone 8:30 GMT

just to inform people

Heres a News Report

quote:

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Originally posted by Sky News Website

Pope John Paul II has died in his apartment at the Vatican in Rome. He was 84 and had led the world's one billion Catholics for 26 years.

The Vatican said the Pontiff died at 8.37pm BST, 9.37pm Rome time.

The Polish-born pontiff, who received the last rites on Thursday evening, suffered heart failure and shock during treatment for a urinary tract infection.

His health declined sharply when he developed a high fever brought on by the infection.

He initially responded well to anti-biotics but then his condition deteriorated further and the fever resurfaced on the morning of his death.

Although gravely ill a Vatican spokesman said John Paul had been "lucid" and was responding when addressed by aides.

On Friday night a crowd of around 70,000 gathered in Rome's St Peter's Square to be close to the man who had been their spiritual guide since 1978.

All around the world Catholics offered prayers as concern grew for his health.

John Paul was taken to hospital twice last month with breathing problems, having earlier had a tube inserted in his throat.

He was last seen in public on Wednesday when he appeared briefly at his apartment window in St Peter's Square to bless thousands of pilgrims.

There were cheers from the gathered audience as he tried to speak to them, but his words were not audible.

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