World's political leaders pay tribute to peace-loving John Paul II

Rome/Geneva (ENI). Tributes to the Polish-born Pope, who died on 2 April, came from political leaders of every faith and denomination for a man who took the world stage, travelling more than one million kilometres in visits to some 130 countries. During his more than 26-year-long papacy he held general audiences in the Vatican with almost 18 million people and met face to face 776 heads of state and about 1600 political leaders

Leaders of Christian denominations praise Pope; rue missed chances

Geneva (ENI). Tributes to Pope John Paul II poured in from heads of many Christian denominations mourning his 2 April death, most of them united in praising the Pope's stand for justice and human dignity, but some wishing for more efforts at promoting unity between churches.

John Paul II and the papacy of paradox

John Paul II's papacy was one of notable firsts. The first non-Italian to lead the Roman Catholic Church for 455 years. The first Slav to sit on the throne of Saint Peter. The first pontiff in modern times to emerge from the citadel of the Vatican to claim a place among the world's political leaders. Such a remarkable and very public break with tradition inevitably created an anticipation that John Paul II who was, when elected, the youngest holder of the office for more than 130 years, would be a champion of renewal. [2043 words, ENI-05-0227]

Next Pope - 'rumours are legion but none carries imprimatur'

With an electoral college of 117, it should be a relatively simple matter to work out which cardinal will gain the majority of the votes and succeed Pope John Paul II. In many other organisations, the runners declare themselves long ahead of time, the voters are thoroughly canvassed, and the incumbent strives to ensure the succession for his or her chosen candidate. Yet, as with most things to do with the papacy, the gathering of the conclave of cardinals that follows the death of a Pope and chooses his successor, is not as straightforward as it at first appears.

Bulgarian Orthodox showed ambivalence to Pope in final days

Sofia (ENI). All over the world Christians and members of other faiths were praying and sending messages of support for ailing Pope John Paul II in his final days, but in mainly Orthodox Bulgaria there was ambivalence about the pontiff despite support for him from other Orthodox churches.