The Reverend Ian Paisley, who once called the Pope the "anti-Christ", said today he empathasised with Catholics and understood how they felt over John Pauls' death.
"We need to learn that everyone on Earth no matter what position he holds or the claims he makes or the support he has must come to death and eternity," Dr Paisley said.
"We can understand how the Roman Catholic people feel at the death of the Pope and they are entitled to express their sorrow and grief," he added in a statement.
In 1988, the DUP leader repeatedly shouted "Anti-Christ!" as the Pope began a speech to the European Parliament on unity in Europe. Members of parliament shouted to drown out his insults, threw paper at him and tore a crude orange banner from his hands.
The Pontiff smiled briefly at the outburst and resumed his speech, which was again interrupted, this time by a round of applause.
Dr Paisley was wrestled out of the European Parliament chamber. He later said he could not have caused a greater commotion if he had detonated explosives in parliament, and claimed Europe had not changed since the Reformation.