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Pope John Paul II died at just after nine-thirty on Saturday evening. He was the first Slav head of the Catholic Church in history. Although most Czechs are not practising Catholics, he was very popular in the Czech Republic, and hugely respected for his role in helping to bring about the fall of communism. The head of the Czech Catholic Church, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, said the Pope had been a great person and a great Christian. He pointed in particular to the Pontiff's untiring fight for human rights, both before and after the end of the Cold War.

Pope John Paul II died at just after nine-thirty on Saturday evening. He was the first Slav head of the Catholic Church in history. Although most Czechs are not practising Catholics, he was very popular in the Czech Republic, and his role in helping to bring about the fall of communism was much admired. The priest and former Czech dissident Tomas Halik pointed to his huge symbolic importance and charisma.

Pope John Paul II died on Saturday evening at just after half past nine local time. He was the first head of the Catholic Church from a Slav country, and enjoyed great popularity in the Czech Republic. Although most Czechs are not practising Catholics he was hugely admired for his significant role in working for the fall of communism in Central Europe. We shall be bringing reaction as it comes.

Pope John Paul II died on Saturday evening at just before half past nine local time. He was the first head of the Catholic Church from a Slav country, and enjoyed great popularity in the Czech Republic. Although most Czechs are not practising Catholics he was hugely admired for his significant role in working for the fall of communism in Central Europe. We shall be bringing reaction as it comes.