VATICAN CITY – Pope John Paul II died yesterday, more than a quarter-century after beginning a reign that transformed the papacy.

Who was the last pope to die?

Pope Saint John Paul IIBirth nameKarol Józef WojtyłaBorn18 May 1920 Wadowice, Second Polish RepublicDied2 April 2005 (aged 84) Apostolic Palace, Vatican CityDenominationCatholic

Which pope died suddenly?

Pope John Paul I died suddenly in September 1978, 33 days after his election. Following contradictory reports about the circumstances of his death and apparent anomalies about the issuing of the death certificate and other procedures, several conspiracy theories have gained currency.