Today in Italy Special service by AGI on behalf of the Italian Prime Minister's office
POPE: LAST MESSAGE, "I AM HAPPY, YOU BE HAPPY, TOO" (AGI) - Vatican, April 2 - Pope John Paul II has written a message addressed to his collaborators. It reads, "I am happy, you be happy, too. Let's pray together with joy, I entrust everything to the Virgin Mary with joy". This was confirmed by the 19th Century, which noted that it was the last message written by the Pope, who needed a lot of effort, being helped by his secretary, Monsignor Stanislao. (AGI) -
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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.