A moved Pope appears and blesses the faithful
John Paul II is expected to link-up with the Via Crucis by television and will deliver the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing. Various cardinals will lead Holy Week rites.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Moved almost to tears, in all likelihood saddened that he would not be addressing the faithful, but nevertheless definitely in better shape than last Sunday: this is how the Pope appeared today, from the window of his study, to greet and bless the crowd of people, consisting largely of Poles, who had gathered in Saint Peter's Square. The appearance lasted a couple of minutes and was a relief to the faithful who had been worried over past day by rumours circulating of a further decline in his health. Compared to last Sunday, he sat upright, not drooped down, and was not pale. A bandage on the wrist of his right hand showed that his treatment continues.
Expectations are that the Pope will make another appearance next Friday for the Way of the Cross. A television link-up has already been set up to allow the Pope, who will watch from his private chapel, to appear at the beginning and the end of the exercise, to bless the faithful. Then, on Easter morning, John Paul II is planning to impart the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing.
The other ceremonies of the Easter Triduum will be led by various cardinals. Thus, the Chrism Mass on the morning of Holy Thursday will be celebrated by the Prefect for the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. The "In Coena Domini" Mass will be led by the President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo. In Saint Peter's Basilica on Good Friday, Cardinal James Francis Stafford, Major Penitentiary, will commemorate the Passion of the Lord. The texts for the Way of the Cross have been written by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who will lead the Easter Vigil in the Basilica. Easter Sunday, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano will celebrate morning mass in Saint Peter's Square.
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