Johannes Rau, Germany's popular former federal president, died on Friday morning following a lengthy illness. Rau served as president from July 1, 1999 until June 30, 2004.

Rau's office said the former president died at 8:30 Friday morning. Since leaving office two years ago, the 75-year-old underwent two operations, from which he never fully recovered. The specific cause of death was not announced.  

The devout Christian was known affectionately as Brother Johannes, will largely be remembered for trying to make Germany, deeply traumatized by its Nazi past, a more tolerant nation that would be respected on the world stage.  

"I want to be the president of all Germans and an interlocutor for all those who live and work here without a German passport," he said in his inaugural speech in 1999.