• CALIFORNIA CATHOLICS REMEMBER | 6:00 p.m. ET
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, addressed Catholics on the death of the pontiff, recalling a visit to Los Angeles by Pope John Paul II in 1987, which included a Mass led by the pontiff in Dodger Stadium.
"The pope spoke directly to the wondrous ethnic diversity of Southern California in his homily at Dodger Stadium, and called us to a deeper unity and harmony among all peoples here," Mahony said.
"Some have already dubbed him "John Paul the Great." Of his innumerable achievements, many will remember his indefatigable energy in travel, his longevity, or the canonization of so many saints during his pontificate," he said. "Others will focus on his role in bringing down the Iron Curtain. Only the perspective of time, distance, and historical reflection will allow the greatness of this life and legacy to be measured."
• PUBLIC VIEWING | 5:45 p.m. ET
The pope's body was expected to be brought to St. Peter's Basilica, where it will lie in state, sometime late Monday, the Vatican said early Sunday.
The statement said the College of Cardinals would meet at 10 a.m. Monday in its first gathering before a secret election to be held later this month to choose a successor to John Paul.
The cardinals were expected to set a date for his funeral.
• FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS | 4:42 p.m. ET
The Roman Catholic Church has just entered the interregnum, the period after a pope dies and before another ascends the throne.
In that period, the pontiff’s body will lie in state, his funeral will be held and cardinals will gather for the conclave, the closed-door meeting to elect his successor.
Meantime, cardinals across the world already are making their travel plans for the conclave, where they make what is likely to be their most important decision as “Princes of the Church.”
And given the long tenure of John Paul, many will be voting for a new pope for the first time.
• BUSH REACTS | 4:10 p.m. ET
President George W. Bush hailed the John Paul on Saturday as a wise and fearless leader whose moral authority helped a democratic revolution sweep through Eastern Europe.
“The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home,” a somber Bush said in the White House residence, his wife, Laura, at his side.
John Paul, he said, was “a hero for the ages.”
The White House said it was waiting to hear from the Vatican on Sunday about funeral arrangements before announcing the U.S. delegation that will travel to the event.
Stock image of Pope John Paul II in the Vatican
'''John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła) 1920-2005'''

After months of failing health, ''His Holiness'' Pope John Paul II passed away today, April 2, at 9:37 p.m. local time (19:37 UTC). He was 84 years old.  An email message to journalists from the spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls from The Vatican confirmed the death at 20:00 UTC.

The Pope had a  earlier this year to help him breathe, and then lost his ability to speak last week. On Thursday March 31 he developed a urinary tract infection that led to septic shock and cardiovascular collapse.  A nasogastric feeding tube was inserted to help him regain strength.  The Pope elected not to return to Rome's Gemelli hospital, but instead to stay in his own apartments where he was tended to by his personal doctors and Vatican medical staff.

The same night, he was administered the '''' also known as the last rites. On Friday April 1, the Vatican said he was having difficulties with both his heart and his kidneys.

 news agency Agenzia Giornalistica Italia reports the pope's final message was "I am happy, you be happy, too. Let's pray together with joy. I entrust everything to the Virgin Mary with joy".

A description of the last moment of the holy father from father Jarek Cielecki, director of the Vatican service news and of the Italian TV catolic Tele Padre Pio, tells us the last moment of life of this great man. "The Holy father died looking at the window, gathered in prayer. As such he was conscious. Just before dying, the Pope raised his right hand in a sign of blessing, as if he was aware of all the people gathered in prayer. Then, as soon as the prayer ended, the Pope did a huge effort, said the word 'Amen' and died."

The Vatican has announced that the funeral will take place on Wednesday, April 6 and that the Pope's body will lie in state from Monday, April 4.