Pope John Paul II watches fireworks from his balcony at the Vatican in this January 1, 2000 file photograph. John Paul II, who headed the Roman Catholic Church for 26 years, died April 2, 2005, the Vatican said in a statement. The news was immediately announced to around 60,000 gathered in St Peter's Square and was met with a long applause, an Italian sign of respect. Bells tolled and many people wept openly. REUTERS/Vatican/File