Ailing pope celebrates midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica
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The Pope called for peace at the traditional Christmas midnight Mass.
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VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II ushered in the Christmas holiday early Thursday in a midnight Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, decrying that "too much blood is still being shed" in conflicts around the world.
The 83-year-old pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, cut back his holiday activities only slightly, insisting on celebrating the Mass in the packed basilica decorated with red poinsettias.
After lighting a candle for peace, the pontiff delivered his entire homily, speaking slowly but in a clear voice.
"The pope suffers physically, as you can see, but at the same time he is very strong spiritually," Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, one of John Paul's closest advisers, told Vatican Radio this week.
Hours before the pontiff celebrated the Mass, the Vatican's newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, headlined its holiday edition: "Christmas 2003, a cry for peace."
"Before the mystery of Bethlehem the hope of the world is reborn," the newspaper said.
The pope was a staunch opponent of the U.S.-led war in Iraq and criticized the decision to go ahead without U.N. authorization. In a recent message, he called for a renewed respect for international law and addressed the dangers of terrorism and the need for reform of international law to combat it.
In recent weeks, amid reports that churches could become terrorist targets, security has been tightened around the Vatican. Italian police guarded the perimeter of the vast St. Peter's Square and pilgrims entering the basilica passed through metal detectors.
In the late afternoon, the Vatican unveiled a life-size Nativity scene next to a 100-foot Christmas tree in the center of the square, depicting the birth of Christ in a Bethlehem manger. American Cardinal Edmund Szoka, governor of Vatican City, joined in the singing of "White Christmas."
Shortly afterward, John Paul came to his apartment window above the square, blessed the crowd and lit a candle in a vigil for peace.
Children from around the world. many in colorful traditional costumes, came forward to receive the Pope's blessing.
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In his homily, the pope decried, "Too much blood is still being shed on earth! Too much violence and too many conflicts trouble the peaceful coexistence of nations!"
"You come to bring us peace," John Paul said of the baby Jesus. "You are our peace!"
"O Holy Night, so long awaited, which has united God and man for ever!" John Paul said. "You rekindle our hope. You fill us with ecstatic wonder. You assure us of the triumph of love over hatred, of life over death."
Pilgrims from many countries attended the Mass, with the Church's diversity underlined by the selection of children who presented the pope with flowers -- 12 youngsters from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, including two from John Paul's native Poland.
Waiting for the Mass to begin, some in the crowd sat silently, some prayed and some snapped photos as John Paul was wheeled in by aides.
John Paul suffers from Parkinson's disease and knee and hip ailments, making it difficult for him to read his speeches or to stand or walk.
Yet he has made few changes in his traditional schedule. At noontime on Christmas Day, he will deliver his usual holiday "Urbi et Orbi" message -- Latin for "To the City and the World" -- and Christmas greetings in various languages.
John Paul is also scheduled to lead New Year's Eve prayers December 31 in St. Peter's and preside at Mass in the basilica New Year's Day.
The Vatican, however, has dropped two traditional papal events -- the ordination of bishops January 6 and baptisms on January 11 -- to ease up on John Paul's schedule.
Copyright 2003 The
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
