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After suffering heart failure, Pope John Paul II died on April 2, 2005. He was one of the most charismatic world leaders in recent memory. The first non-Italian pope of the Roman Catholic Church since 1523, John Paul II reigned from 1978 until 2005, the second-longest pontificate in history. He is credited with helping to end Communism in his native Poland, and for his outreach efforts to the clergy of other major world religions. Progressives, however, criticized him for his unyielding conservative stances, such as his opposition to contraception and to the ordination of women.
Here’s what the story of his death looked like on the front pages:
Charlotte Sun
Los Angeles Times
San Jose Mercury News
New York Post
Philadelphia Inquirer
New York Times
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Washington Post
San Francisco Chronicle
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