A week of celebrations has been getting underway in Rome to mark the silver jubilee of Pope John Paul II.
Tens of thousands of Catholics gathered in St Peter's Square as the pontiff gave a mass at 6pm, exactly 25 years after a puff of white smoke announced that a new pope had been elected in 1978.
Messages of congratulations and goodwill have been pouring into the Vatican from heads of state and community leaders all over the world. The ceremony in St Peter's Square was meanwhile attended by 150 cardinals, along with leading politicians and dignitaries.
One country where the celebrations were particularly enthusiastic was his homeland of Poland. Before ascending to the papacy Karol Wojtyla, as he was then known, was the Bishop of Krakow. On October 16, 1978, he became the first non-Italian to be elected head of the Catholic church in 450 years.
Since that time he has worked tirelessly to bring the Church into the modern age, using air travel and the internet to spread his message. During his papacy he has visited 130 countries and held talks with 1,350 heads of state. He has also faced criticism, however, for his hard line on sexual morality, and particularly the use of contraception.
In recent months there have been growing concerns for the 82-year-old's health. The pontiff suffers from Parkinson's disease and severe arthritis, but his aides say he is till mentally strong and has no intention of stepping down.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
