Papal succession
Resources
Tributes to John Paul II and analysis of Pope Benedict XVI’s election.
Pope to prioritise relations between religions
Pope Benedict XVI promised to promote harmony between religions as the cardinals responsible for his election pleaded with progressive Catholics not to dismiss him as a narrow-minded conservative.
Conservative German cardinal elected pope
Ratzinger becomes Pope Benedict XVI
Related content and features
Discussion
Is the new Pope a stop-gap
The 78-year-old German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has been elected the next pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Given his age and his closeness to John Paul II, is Cardinal Ratzinger’s appointment a stopgap?
ANALYSIS
Elaborate rules govern election of new pontiff
In 1274 Pope Gregory X decreed the cardinals electing his successor should be locked in a room and, if they failed to reach a decision after three days, limited to one dish per meal.
Comment
Philip Stephens: Holy See seeks wise reformer
Even as they mourn, Catholics must hope that the future holds an altogether different, less self-aggrandising, papacy.
From Wadowice to Rome
Pope John Paul II: A life in pictures
An interactive gallery of photos from Pope John Paul’s life
Obituary
Pope John Paul II’s legacy of paradox
Pope John Paul II will be remembered for his efforts to reinvigorate the Catholic Church and his role in the fall of communism. Yet his pontificate will also go down in history as a period of paradox.
Personal tribute
The vision that fired the Pope's global mission
The genius of Pope John Paul II depended on his ability to bring out people's virtues, their desire for goodness and truth - sometimes deeply buried, writes Henryk Wozniakowski, a Polish religious affairs commentator and one of the Pope's last outside visitors.
World reaction
Leaders pay their respects
Leaders from Beijing to Venezuela made statements of rememberance, reflecting the domination of the Pope in world affairs over the past 26 years.
Analysis
Christopher Caldwell: Controversy marks John Paul II era
Now that Pope John Paul II, at the age of 84, has died, it is possible to tally up the legacy of his 26-year papacy.
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