MID Cheshire's religious leaders have paid tribute to Pope John Paul II following the pontiff's death on Saturday night.

The Polish-born leader headed the Roman Catholic movement uninterrupted for 26 years - fighting off an assassination attempt as well as a host of illnesses.

The first non-Italian pope in more than 450 years touched many lives with his approachable attitude and his willingness to address people regardless of faith.

His meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury and his subsequent involvement with the Church of England was a surprise union, respected by many non-believers.

The Bishop of Chester, Rt Rev Dr Peter Foster, said John Paul II had been the most influential and significant Christian leader for many decades.

He added: "The Pope's personal qualities ranked him alongside such great men as Sir Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela. One of the great privileges of my life was to have lunch with him in his apartments in the Vatican."

The Rt Rev David Urquhart, the bishop of Birkenhead, added: "The Pope's leadership in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ has been an inspiration. A brilliant linguist and tireless traveller, he greatly encouraged Christian faith throughout the world."

Bishop Brian Noble, of the Diocese of Shrewsbury, said: "The public response to the death of Pope John Paul II has warmed the hearts of the Catholic community.

"His concern for human rights, peaceful resolution of conflicts, social justice and respect for life at its most vulnerable were evidently heartfelt convictions.

"My last meeting with the Pope was 18 months ago. No-one who met him could have come away without knowing they had been in the presence of someone who lived as he taught."

The Pope will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica until his funeral on Friday morning.