Following is the English translation by Reutersof the statement issued by the Vatican on Pope John Paul's death.
"The Holy Father died this evening (Saturday) at 21.37 in his private apartment.
"The procedure foreseen by the apostolic constitution in 'Universi Dominici gregis', promulgated by John Paul II on February 22, 1996, has been put into place."
(The statement refers to the procedures put into place within the Vatican and the Church after the death of a Pope.)