Peter Jennings (1983 photo)

One of the United States' most popular television news anchors, Peter Jennings of ABC News, has died of lung cancer at the age of 67.

Mr. Jennings' family says he passed away peacefully late Sunday at his home in New York.

Mr. Jennings spent 41 years with ABC, the last 22 as the sole anchor of the network's nightly news. He first gained notice as the network's top foreign correspondent, who opened ABC's bureau in Beirut and later broadcast extensively from London.

Mr. Jennings covered nearly every major international event of the past 40 years, using his wide global knowledge to explain complex issues to his American audience.

He was born and raised in Canada, but had become an American citizen two years ago.

In brief remarks to reporters Monday, President Bush said Mr. Jennings had a long and distinguished career, and that he had become a part of many Americans' lives.