Pope and World Figures

An undated photo provided by the Vatican shows John Paul II, the Polish pontiff who led the Roman Catholic Church for more than a quarter century and became history's most-traveled pope. He died Saturday night, April 2, 2005, in his Vatican apartment. He was 84.

Jacques Chirac

French President Jacques Chirac's wife Bernadette, center, kisses Pope John Paul II's ring as Chirac, right, looks away, during a brief private meeting after the pontiff's arrival at Tarbes' airport, western France, Aug. 14, 2004.

Ayad Allawi

Pope John Paul II speaks to Iraq's interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi during a private audience at the Vatican, Nov. 4, 2004.

George W. Bush

President George W. Bush holds Pope John Paul II's hand during their meeting at the Clementine Hall at the Vatican on June 4, 2004.

Vicente Fox

Mexican President Vicente Fox speaks with Pope John Paul II after the Pope's arrival in Mexico City, July 30, 2002.

Queen Elizabeth II

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II exchange gifts at the Vatican, Oct. 17, 2000.

Vladimir Putin

Pope John Paul II, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, meet at the Vatican, June 5, 2000.

Yasser Arafat

The late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat kisses Pope John Paul II's hand prior to their talks at the Vatican, Feb. 15, 2000.

Dalai Lama

Pope John Paul II, right, and Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, hug each other as they meet during the closing ceremony of the Interreligious Assembly in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Oct. 28, 1999.

Rosa Parks

Civil rights activist Rosa Parks, right, presents a copy of her book "Quiet Strength" to Pope John Paul II after a prayer service in the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 27, 1999.

Fidel Castro

Pope John Paul II listens as Fidel Castro makes remarks upon the pope's arrival at Jose Marti Airport in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 21, 1998. This was a welcoming ceremony for an historic five-day visit.

George Bush

Pope John Paul II shakes hands with former U.S. President George Bush during a private audience at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence, April 4, 1997.

Bill Clinton

President Bill Clinton greets Pope John Paul II during ceremonies at Newark International Airport in Newark, N.J., Oct. 4, 1995. Air Force One is seen at background left.

Nelson Mandela

Pope John Paul II is welcomed by South African President Nelson Mandela, right, upon his arrival at Johannesburg airport at the start of his first official visit to South Africa, Sept. 16, 1995.

King Hassan II

King Hassan II of Morocco meets with Pope John Paul II during a private audience at the Vatican, Nov. 28, 1991.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Pope John Paul II welcomes Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to the first meeting ever between a Kremlin chief and a Pope at the Vatican Dec. 1, 1989.

Ronald Reagan

President Ronald Reagan shakes hands with Pope John Paul II on the podium at Miami International Airport, Fla., Sept. 10, 1987.

Mother Teresa

Pope John Paul II holds his arm around Mother Teresa as they ride in the Popemobile outside the Home of the Dying in Calcutta, India, Feb. 1986.

Prince Charles

Pope John Paul II, is seen in this Aug. 29, 1985, photo with Princess Diana and Prince Charles on occasion of their private audience at the Vatican.

Jimmy Carter

President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalyn and daughter Amy greet Pope John Paul II at the White House in Washington, Oct. 6, 1979.