Pope John Paul II died on Saturday at the age of 84, the Vat ican announced.

The pope, hospitalized twice in February for flu-induced breathing difficulties, laryngitis and other complications, died in Vatican City after suffering heart and kidney failure.

John Paul was born on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. He was educated at Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland, and at the Angelicum in Rome.

He was ordained priest in 1946, became titular bishop in 1958, and later served as vicar-general, vicar and archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cracow.

He was created cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967. In October 1978, he was elected Pope, the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.

In the last days of the pope's life, the Catholic Patriotic Association of China and the Chinese Catholic Bishops College extended good wishes for his health.

Editor: Olivia