File photo of Pope John Paul II blessing pilgrims and visitors at St. Peter's Square from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1993. Pope John Paul II, the Pole who headed the Roman Catholic Church for 26 years and played a key role in the fall of communism in Europe, died on Saturday evening, the Vatican announced. He was 84. Picture taken December 25, 1993. REUTERS/Vatican/Pool/FILE