File photo showing former Brazilian soccer star Pele with Pope John Paul II during their meeting at the Vatican on March 18, 1979. Pele led Brazil to three World Cup titles as a player in 1958, 1962 and 1970. Pope John Paul II neared death on Friday as his health suddenly worsened, drawing anguished prayers from Catholics around the world reluctant to accept his historic pontificate was near its end. REUTERS/Vatican/FILE