He was the first Pope to visit the White House and met with several U.S. presidents. He met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Before he became Pope, he stood against communism. Former Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev said, “All that has happened in East Europe over these last few years would not have been possible without the presence of the Pope.”

He was more than the leader of one billion Catholics, he was a strong and influential leader on the world stage.

The Los Angeles Times has several excellent photo albums.

Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa. Calcutta, India, February, 1986. (AP File Photo)