Looks like he has the weight of the world on him,praying he finds the strength he needs to continue.
Posted on 03/30/2002 10:06:07 AM PST by CoolH2OH
Saturday March 30, 6:29 AM
For the first time in his 23 years as pontiff, a weakened Pope John Paul II did not follow on foot the Stations of the Cross, the Catholic Church's most solemn ceremony marking Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday.
Instead, a visibly suffering pontiff stood to receive the 3.3 kilogramme (nearly eight pound) cross at the last of the 14 stations, gripping the railing of the balcony in front of him as priests led thousands of faithful through the prayers of the rite.
Last year, a stronger pope carried the cross a few metres for the last station. Traditionally, the leader of the world's one billion Catholics carries the replica throughout the ceremony to commemorate Christ's journey to his crucifixion.
The 81-year-old pontiff has been unable to disguise his declining health throughout Holy Week, which, with its lengthy ceremonies, is traditionally the most demanding of the pope.
John Paul II, now almost completely immobilised by advanced Parkinson's disease and arthritis in his right knee, sat through the candlelight ceremony at Rome's ancient Colosseum in deep concentration, his head bowed in his hands.
Thousands of people gathered for the ceremony signalled their relief mixed with admiration for the pope's determination when they burst into applause after he haltingly delivered an improvised meditation on Christ's suffering at the end of the ceremony.
Earlier, the pope prayed for peace in the world, especially in the Middle East.
"You, wise Master of life, kind and patient, in the face of betrayal by your disciple and the insolence of rulers, grant to us, in these days of unheard of v i o l e n c e and brutal conflict between men, a ray of your calm and your serenity."
He had sat in deep contemplation throughout as the cross made its way slowly around the Colosseum, carried by Vicar of Rome Cardinal Camillo Ruini and, in turn, by a succession of lay Catholics from every continent, before being taken up the Palatine Hill to the papal platform.
The annual procession takes place partly in the Colosseum to mark the martyrdom of persecuted Christians believed to have been put to d e a t h within the arena's walls by the Romans.
Good Friday was seen as the toughest of the four-day series of lengthy ceremonies marking Easter, which culminates in Easter Sunday mass celebrating Christ's resurrection.
On Thursday evening, he was unable to actively take part in an annual foot-washing ceremony at the Vatican which commemorates the Last Supper, for the first time in his pontificate.
Millions of Catholics throughout the world, as well as cardinals at the Vatican, have watched the pope's every move with bated breath since he chose to sit out Palm Sunday mass marking the start of Holy Week, the most important in the Church's calendar.
They have seen a visibly weakened pope battling his illness with a grim determination, assisted at every turn, an image feeding rumours among some cardinals that he should step down.
There is a growing belief that the pope should resign, so that he might be spared further suffering, carrying on his shoulders the weight of a Church currently burdened by scandals involving priests and senior clergy.
Those views have been emphasised in the build-up to Easter by a close friend of John Paul II and his personal biographer, Italian writer Vittorio Messori.
Popes traditionally serve until they die. Five popes in history have set an example for the current pope in stepping down during their reign, but the last time one did so was in 1415.
Getting so sick of snide unctious editorializing. Who has this belief? How does the writer know it is growing? And what difference does it make anyway? If the writer wants to say the Pope should step down, he should get another job and become an editorial writer.
There is a growing belief that the pope should resign, so that he might be spared further suffering, carrying on his shoulders the weight of a Church currently burdened by scandals involving priests and senior clergy.
Why not tell the truth! IMHO there is a faction that wants to take over the Church... but that "old conservative fellow" stands in the way.
...so that he might be spared further suffering
Pardon my French! "So that we can be done with him! is what they really mean!
(Or how about: "Will no one relieve me of this troublesome priest?)
Pope John Paul II is truly an inspiration of what a "Priest" should be! I'm just sorry he won't be around for future generations to know! Thank You Lord, for allowing this man to head your Church during these troubled times.
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