Following the death of Pope John Paul II, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of the world's 12.2 million Mormons, read the statement at the beginning of the second session of the Church's 175th Annual General Conference, which is broadcast in 75 languages to millions of Latter-day Saints in congregations around the globe:
“We join those throughout
the world who mourn the passing of Pope John Paul II, an
extraordinary man of faith and
intellect, whose courageous actions have touched the world in ways
that will be felt for generations to come.
“The Pope’s voice remained
firm in defense of freedom, family, and Christianity. On matters of
principle and
morality he was uncompromising. On his compassion for the world's
poor, he has been unwavering.”