This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Death of Pope John Paul II
02/04/2005
First Minister Jack McConnell, reacting to the death of
John Paul II at the Vatican in Rome today, said:
"Pope John Paul will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and
prayers are with the Roman Catholic community at this
difficult time.
"Most Scots have fond memories of his visit to Scotland
in 1982 when he captured the heart of the nation.
"He was a humble and compassionate man, who led the
Roman Catholic Church with wisdom and humanity, and his
courage in the face of his growing infirmity was
inspirational. His passing will leave a big gap on the
world stage."