Bush, pope lead world tributes

LONDON, England -- U.S. President George W. Bush and Pope John Paul II led a phalanx of tributes by world leaders to the late Princess Margaret.

Bush, who was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, said that he and first lady Laura Bush were deeply saddened to learn of the princess' death.

"Princess Margaret was a proud mother and grandmother whose compassion and support for charities helped better the lives of many in need," Bush said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her children, grandchildren and the entire royal family."

In a telegram of sympathy sent to Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II prayed for Margaret's soul, recalling the "travails" and "frailty" that marked her last years of life.

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"Saddened to learn of the death of her royal highness the Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, I express to Your Majesty and to the royal family my deep sympathy at this time of sorrow," the pope said in the telegram, whose text was released by the Vatican's press office.

Margaret, 71, died peacefully in her sleep in a London hospital on Saturday after a stroke.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair expressed his condolences while on an official visit to Sierra Leone.

"She will be remembered with a lot of affection," Blair said.

"Before she was ill the last few years, she gave a great deal of service to the country. And our thoughts are with the Queen Mother and all of the royal family at this difficult time," he said.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard was among Commonwealth leaders expressing their sorrow at the princess' death.

"On behalf of the Australian people I extend my sympathies and condolences to her family, in particular the queen -- her sister -- and the Queen Mother," Howard said, adding that his fellow countrymen and women would be saddened to hear of Margaret's death.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon sent condolences on behalf of Britain's former colonies.

"People throughout the Commonwealth will be saddened by the passing away of Princess Margaret," he said in a statement.

Another condolence message sent to the queen came from Italy's head of state, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who recalled Margaret as a "frequent and attentive visitor" to Italy.

"Princess Margaret had conquered the affection of Italians, who will remember her cordial and human character," Ciampi wrote.

Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi described Margaret as a "charming lady."

"She will be remembered for her valuable contribution to charitable organizations and her concern for the well-being of the disadvantaged all over the world," he said in a statement.

Moi added that the older generation of Kenyans would have fond memories of her visit to Kenya in 1956.

The South African government also expressed sadness at Margaret's death.

South Africans "join the international community in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the queen, the government and the people of Great Britain," said South Africa's foreign affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa.

Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia telephoned Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday to express their condolences, a Spanish royal spokesman said.

German President Johannes Rau also sent condolences to Elizabeth, saying Princess Margaret was well-regarded in Germany.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent his condolences to the queen, his office said.