Her Majesty The Queen led tributes to Pope John Paul II as she expressed her "deep sorrow" at his death.

She praised his work in promoting global peace and goodwill as she led tributes from Britain.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The Queen has conveyed to the Holy See her deep sorrow on receiving the news of the death of his holiness Pope John Paul II.

"Her majesty remembers the untiring efforts of Pope John Paul II in promoting peace and goodwill throughout the world.

"The Queen also remembers well the work of Pope John Paul II for Christian unity including closer ties between the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches and, in particular his Holiness's visit to Britain in 1982 - the first-ever papal visit."

The Prince of Wales spoke of his "fond and special memories" of the Pope who he met in Rome and Britain in the 1980s.

In a message issued through Clarence House, he said: "It is with the deepest sorrow that I have learned of the death of his Holiness Pope John Paul II.

"He will be long remembered for his tireless efforts to promote world peace and for his great warmth of personality.

"I have such fond and special memories of meeting his Holiness in Rome in 1985 and in the United Kingdom in 1982. His death is a great loss."