At anniversary Mass, pope prays for 'wisdom, holiness, strength'

Published: 2003-10-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Beneath the balcony where he amazed the world on the night of his election in 1978, Pope John Paul II celebrated a 25th anniversary Mass and prayed for the "wisdom, holiness and strength" to keep leading the church. Alluding to his physical difficulties, he asked for continued prayers and support from Catholics all over the globe and said he meditated daily over his ability to meet the demands of the papacy. "I renew, through the hands of Mary, beloved mother, the gift of myself, in the present and the future: All will be accomplished according to your will," he said in a prayer to Christ, the church's "good shepherd." Concelebrating on a crystal clear evening Oct. 16 in St. Peter's Square were more than 250 cardinals and bishops from more than 120 countries, most of whom have taken office under Pope John Paul and helped him shape the modern church. The liturgy in St. Peter's Square was joyful and poignant, a celebration of what the pope has accomplished in 25 years and a reminder of how much his physical strength has slipped.

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