Pope, opening week of celebrations, thanks young people for support

Published: 2003-10-13

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II opened a week of celebrations for his 25th anniversary by thanking young people for their special enthusiasm over the years. The pope, speaking at a noon blessing at the Vatican Oct. 12, expressed his gratitude to all Catholics for their prayers as he approached the anniversary of his election as pope Oct. 16, 1978. The 83-year-old pontiff spoke in a weak voice and appeared short of breath during the brief appearance at his apartment window above St. Peter's Square. It was difficult to understand much of his Italian-language talk. As the pope made his remarks, the first of thousands of cardinals, bishops, dignitaries and pilgrims were arriving for anniversary celebrations in Rome. "I want to thank all those who want to join me in prayer, at the same time thanking God for his continual and providential assistance," the pope said. He sneezed, and the crowd in the square burst into long applause.

Copyright (c) 2003 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .