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Passing of a Pope

Catholics around the world are mourning John Paul II's death after almost 27 years as their leader. Read about the pope's passing and the search for his successor in this DW-WORLD dossier.

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Reaching out to John Paul IIImage: AP

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Millions of pilgrims and world leaders are descending on Rome to pay their last respects to the late pope.

While his papacy was not without controversy, cardinals have praised him as "John Paul the Great" and there is already talk of his beatification, the first step towards sainthood.

While Vatican officials prepare to bury the last pontiff, the search for the new one is getting started: Cardinals will meet on April 18 to begin the election process.

Read about John Paul II's passing and the Catholic Church's future in this DW-WORLD dossier.

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Reports & Analysis

Pope's Funeral Set For Friday

After a solemn procession across St. Peter's Square, the embalmed body of John Paul II goes on public view Monday, giving hundreds of thousands of people the chance to pay a final farewell to their beloved pontiff.

Poland Mourns John Paul II

Millions of candles, minutes of silence, buttonholes, badges and poems by mobile phone text message were just a few of the ways John Paul II's Polish compatriots have been paying tribute to their late beloved pope.

Germans Hope for Progressive Next Pope

As people in Germany keep mourning John Paul II’s death, some politicians and church leaders have started thinking about what the next pontificate should be like. Many expect the successor to be more open to reform.

The Death of Pope John Paul II

The death of Pope John Paul II touched the hearts of many people, not just Roman Catholics, around the world. But not everyone saw the pontiff in a positive light. Here, DW-WORLD readers have their say.

Stasi Files Implicate KGB in Pope Shooting

Recently unearthed documents from the ex-East German secret police, the Stasi, appear to pin the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II on the KGB. Italy and Bulgaria have pledged to investigate the claim.

German Dissenter Speaks Out on Pope

As Catholics mourn Pope John Paul II, an anti-establishment former priest in Germany has condemned the funeral preparations as ghoulish and called for the new pope to be less authoritarian.

World Leaders Mourn Pope’s Death

World leaders expressed sorrow over the passing of John Paul II and commended him for his tireless dedication to promoting peace and human rights around the globe.

World's Press Commemorates Pope's Life

In the days and hours leading up to the pope's death, newspapers around the world commemorated John Paul II's life of service.

A Pope of Unity but Also Division

While millions of people, not only Roman Catholics, mourned for Pope John Paul II, many regarded his influential views as out-of-date and damaging in the modern world.

Opinion: The Pope Continues to Provoke

In a dramatic display, the fatally ill pope silently delivered the "Urbi et Orbi" Easter blessing on Sunday. The appearance raises a question: why does the Vatican want the world to share in John Paul II's suffering?

John Paul II Leaves His Mark on Europe

Pope John Paul II played a larger role in current world events than any other pope in history. In Europe, his name will be inextricably tied to the fall of Communism in eastern Europe.

Almost a Million Pay Respects

By the end of Tuesday, the Vatican estimated that 1 million will have filed past the body of Pope John Paul II at his lying-in-state in St. Peter's Basilica.

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