Five years ago this week network news anchors, correspondents and producers (including yours truly) were in Rome covering the death of Pope John Paul II and, later, the election of Pope Benedict XVI.

One noticeable absence, was ABC’s Peter Jennings. On April 5, 2005 we learned why. On that night’s “World News Tonight” Jennings told his audience he’d been diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. It would be his final broadcast. The cancer would take his life four months later.

Last night on “World News” Diane Sawyer reported on news from the CDC showing lung cancer rates are dropping and the smoking rate among the young is at its lowest ever.

Sawyer’s report after the jump…

> From the TVNewser Archives — April 5, 2005:

Jennings Note to Staffers: “I Have Been Diagnosed With Lung Cancer”

Comments from Competitors

Westin’s Note to Staff: “Peter’s Been Given A Tough Assignment”