Pope pays tribute to Ronald Reagan, cites role in fall of communism

Published: 2004-06-07

BERN, Switzerland (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II paid tribute to the late President Ronald Reagan, noting his important role in the fall of European communism. A papal spokesman said the pope was saddened to learn of Reagan's death June 5 and had prayed for the "eternal rest of his soul." The pope was visiting Switzerland when Reagan, president in 1981-89, died at age 93. He had suffered for more than a decade from Alzheimer's disease. "The pope recalled the contributions of President Reagan to the historical events that changed the lives of millions of people, especially in Europe," Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters. The pope also noted Reagan's contributions to U.S. society, Navarro-Valls said. The spokesman said the Vatican would send a representative to Reagan's funeral, which was to take place June 11 in Washington.

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