Pope leads prayers on Good Friday

By Frances D'Emilio
Associated Press

In Jerusalem's Old City, Christians observed Good Friday by retracing the route on the Via Dolorosa that tradition says Christ took to his crucifixion. Tomorrow, in Rome, Pope John Paul II will celebrate Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square. Associated Press

The bad weather and the long day were the latest test of the 83-year-old pontiff's frail health and stamina during Holy Week ceremonies.

Barely two hours earlier yesterday, John Paul pre-

sided over a two-hour Good Friday service in St. Peter's Basilica in which he struggled to his knees to pray and kissed a wooden crucifix held to him.

The pope used to carry a lightweight wooden cross in the evening procession, but stopped three years ago because of his difficulty in walking.

Last night, wearing white robes, John Paul sat in a chair and observed the procession, which symbolically traces Christ's path to his crucifixion.

Many faithful stood under umbrellas in pouring rain for hours to get a good view of the procession. The rain stopped shortly before the pope arrived at the Colosseum, but the early spring night air was bone-chilling.

"Brothers and sisters, yet again we are reunited in following the Lord Jesus on the path that led him to Calvary," the pope said in an opening prayer.

Among the procession participants was a young woman from Madrid, included as a sign of solidarity with the Spanish capital and its citizens after deadly March 11 train bombings there.

John Paul's public day began at noon, when he heard confessions from 11 Roman Catholics.

The pontiff, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and knee ailments, was wheeled into the basilica by aides and into a mahogany confessional booth near the main altar. He spent about an hour there, listening to the confessions of five men and six women.

The pope will preside over an Easter vigil Mass tonight. He will celebrate Easter Mass tomorrow in St. Peter's Square and deliver his Easter message and blessing.

Pilgrims and tourists passed through metal detectors to enter the basilica, one of a number of security measures taken in Rome.

Italian officials said security has been increased at the Vatican, churches, monuments and train stations for the holidays, calling the steps "routine" and stressing that there have been no specific threats. Via della Conciliazione, the avenue leading to St. Peter's Square, is closed to overnight traffic during the Easter period — a measure that is also enforced over Christmas.

Good Friday observances were also held in Jerusalem's Old City.

Thousands of Christians, some carrying large crosses or wearing crowns of thorns, walked the cobblestone streets of the Via Dolorosa, the route that tradition says Christ took to his crucifixion. Pilgrims included groups from Russia, Poland, Greece, the Philippines and Ethiopia.

This year, Easter Week is observed at the same time by both Orthodox and Western Christians, which generally follow different calendars. Easter Week also overlaps with the weeklong Jewish Passover holiday.