A Tribute in Pictures to Nelson Mandela : From Beyonce, Brad Pitt, Michael Jackson, to Politicians, the Pope and More

Mandela kisses Beyonce at the Nelson Mandela AIDS Benefit Concert in Cape Town in 2003

Everybody wanted to be friends with the courageous Nelson Mandela who passed away on Thursday at the age of 95 - a man whose courage in the face of persecution made him the most potent symbol of the struggle against apartheid. See more pictures the anti-apartheid hero after the cut...

Madiba Departs Earth: Nelson Mandela Dead @ 95

"We've lost our greatest son," South African President Jacob Zuma said as he announced the death of Nelson Mandela. According to reports, he died peacefully, surrounded by his family, at his Johannesburg home at 8.50pm local time.

Mr Mandela, who was 95, will get a state funeral and national flags will be lowered to half mast, said Mr Zuma.

May his faithful soul Rest In Peace.