Tony Blair paid tribute from his Chequers residence

Mr Blair said the Pope had led a remarkable life and had been admired by those of all faiths and of none because of his profound religious belief.

Conservative leader Michael Howard said the Pope had been seen as a "rock" in a world of change and uncertainty.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said John Paul II was "a pivotal presence on the international stage".

All the main political parties have said they are suspending public election campaigning on Sunday in the wake of the Pope's death.

'Radiated kindness'

The prime minister is not Catholic himself but his wife Cherie is and he has met the Pope.

In a televised statement on Sunday, Mr Blair said the Pope had survived and triumphed over Nazi and Communist rule in his native Poland.

He had also played a great part in the fall of Communism, he argued.

He was the first Polish pontiff and the youngest of the 20th Century

"The reason why there's been such a great outpouring of feeling over the past few days is because of the nature of the man himself," said Mr Blair.

"Even if you are not a Catholic, even if you are not a Christian, even if you have no religious faith at all, what people could see in Pope John Paul was a man of true and profound spiritual faith, a shining example of what that faith should mean.

"I think that is the reason why the world has, in this rather extraordinary way, come together to mark his passing."

Conservative leader Michael Howard said: "In a world of change and uncertainty, people saw him as a rock: steadfast in support of freedom, unswerving in opposition to totalitarianism, robust in defence of Christian values.

"The Catholic Church has lost a truly remarkable Pope, and the world a very great spiritual leader."

Opposing communism

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: "The papacy of Pope John Paul II will be remembered rightly as a historic turning point in European and world affairs.

"His was a pivotal presence on the international stage and he took his Christian message of hope to millions across the world."

Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher described him as the greatest pontiff of modern times and the "moral force" behind victory in the Cold War.

His condemnation of war whether in Northern Ireland or Iraq was absolute Lord St John of Fawsley, constitutional expert

She said: "By combating the falsehoods of communism and proclaiming the true dignity of the individual, his was the moral force behind victory in the Cold War."

Constitutional expert Lord St John of Fawsley, one of Britain's leading Roman Catholics, described Pope John Paul II as the "greatest spiritual leader of the 20th Century".

"His condemnation of war whether in Northern Ireland or Iraq was absolute.

"So was his upholding of the rights of the unborn child and protection of the terminally ill and dying."

Scotland remembers

Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell said Scots have fond memories of his visit to Scotland in 1982.

"His passing will leave a big gap on the world stage," he said.

Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, a convert to Roman Catholicism, said: "It will come as a relief that his suffering is over, but the effects of his reign are going to be felt for a very long time to come."

Democrat Unionist Party leader, the Reverend Ian Paisley, who had opposed the Pope's 1982 Scotland visit, said he understood how Catholics must feel following the pontiff's passing.

"We need to learn that everyone on earth no matter what position he holds or the claims he makes or the support he has must come to death and eternity.

"We can understand how Roman Catholics feel at the death of the Pope and we would want in no way to interfere with their expression of sorrow and grief at this time."

He was an exemplary teacher to his church, a truly good shepherd to his flock Michael Ancram, Deputy leader of the Tories

John Reid, secretary of state for health, who met the Pope in December 2000 when he was secretary of state for Scotland, said John Paul II had "taken the papacy out to the world".

"In the midst of our Western affluence, he reminded us constantly of the plight of the poor, the underprivileged and the starving of the world and, above all, of our moral obligation to care for them."

Deputy leader of the Conservatives and the party's senior Roman Catholic, Michael Ancram, described John Paul II as "the People's Pope".