"I think he's been a very strong, dynamic, visible pope and a man of reconciliation. Just a few months ago, he returned to our patriarchy in Constantinople the relics of St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory. They were two teachers in the church whose relics had been taken by the Crusaders. It was a symbol of peace and reconciliation," said Father Kouremetis.

"He was a pope who was really reaching out. Years ago, he apologized for atrocities committed by the Roman Catholic Church. He was a person who wanted to put things right. He will be missed," Kouremetis said.

The pope's continued attempts to unify people of divergent opinions and beliefs has impressed many religious leaders.

Rabbi Aaronson also praised Pope John Paul II for his repeated calls for peace in the Middle East and his promotion of freedom in Eastern Europe. "We've certainly seen religious leaders who have chosen not to speak out, so it is a courageous stand that a religious figure would speak out on behalf of peace. I'm sure he will be deservedly remembered for that."

This pope also maintained strong efforts to continue a dialogue between Jews and Christians, and he was the first to visit a synagogue in Rome.

"He was able by the force of his personality to maintain very positive relations with Jewish leaders around the world," Rabbi Aaronson said. "Again, that's a testimony to who he was as a person and a pastor. He was demonstrably Catholic and quite outspoken about his beliefs, but he maintained superb relations with Jewish leaders and Jewish institutions around the world. That's a marvelous legacy."

"He's been a great leader for the Catholic people," said Mike Gray, senior pastor at Southeast Baptist Church, who noted that Baptists and Catholics hold similar views when it comes to being pro-life and against communism.

"He's been a man that has promoted peace and has had a very positive life and ministry leading the Catholic Church," pastor Gray said.