Nelson Mandela – a life in photos

NELSON Mandela was the most famous prisoner in the world. Then South Africa saw sense and the light. The country’s white leaders let him go. He became a global superstar. Celebrities formed a line outside his lounge to meet him. Heads of State swooned – including some nasty characters. Nelson met them all evenly:

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Pope John Paul II, right, shakes hands with Nelson Mandela, deputy leader of African National Congress, during a private audience at the Vatican, Friday, June 15, 1990, Rome, Italy. (AP Photo/Claudio Luffoli)