Pope John Paul II (R) looks at a Ferrari formula one race car at Fiorano Modenese in this June 4, 1988 file photo. Pope John Paul II, the Pole who headed the Roman Catholic Church for 26 years and played a crucial role in the fall of communism in Europe, died on Saturday evening, the Vatican said. He was 84. Picture taken June 4, 1988. REUTERS/L. Mellace/Files