Tribute from Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor

On hearing of the death of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said: "We have lost one of the great heroes of our modern world. Pope John Paul II was an outstanding leader of the Catholic Church during a period of dramatic political change. He challenged the tyranny of Communism. He championed the cause of social justice. He inspired millions by his human warmth and moral tenacity. He was a good friend to his fellow bishops whose faith he confirmed and strengthened. Above all, he was a man of prayer and a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ."