2005: Pope John Paul II dies

Pope John Paul II, the third longest-serving pontiff in history, has died at the age of 84.

The Pope died in his private apartment at the Vatican at 2137 local time (1937 GMT), surrounded by his closest Polish aides.

Many thousands of people gathered in Rome's St Peter's Square to pay tribute to the pontiff, while church bells throughout the city began tolling.

The Pope had suffered worsening health problems including a heart condition.

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Church bells rang out on news of the pontiff's death

The life of Pope John Paul II