Thousands throng the Vatican for Pope's anniversary Mass

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world thronged St Peter's Square in Rome yesterday evening for a unique event - a thanksgiving…

Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world thronged St Peter's Square in Rome yesterday evening for a unique event - a thanksgiving Mass for the 25 years of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. Paddy Agnew reports from Rome

The Vatican produced a spectacle worthy of the occasion. Even as thousands of pilgrims were still filing through the police security checkpoints, more than 150 cardinals were making their way to the altar on the steps outside the basilica, the scarlet and white of their robes glowing in the magnificent autumn evening sunshine.

When the Pope appeared, punctually at six o'clock, sitting on the mobile hydraulic chair he now uses for all ceremonies, a huge burst of applause broke out across the square.

From where most people stood, he was just a white and golden blur in the distance.

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Inevitably, many turned to the four giant TV screens, placed two on either side of the basilica to find out how the Pope was doing. As has become customary now, any pause on the part of the Pope, any break in the smooth flow of the service was filled with cries of "Viva Il Papa".

With the evening sun sinking, the square became filled with a heightened sense of theatre as the light became increasingly more focused on the altar and the Pope himself.

The timing of this service, by the way, was not casual. It was at 18.18 p.m. on the evening of October 16th, 1978, that the famous white smoke went up from the Sistine Chapel to signal the election of Pope John Paul II.

Furthermore, it was 18.45 p.m. when the traditional pronouncement, Habemus Papam, was made from the central window of the basilica.

For many, this was an occasion too unique to miss.

Teresa from Cagliari was a newly-wed bride in the square 25 years ago on the evening of Pope John Paul II's election.

She and her husband had flown in from Sardinia to be present.

"I simply had to be here, to be with the Pope just one more time," she said.

As always these days, the Pope looked by turns tired and in pain, sometimes struggling with his words during the two-hour ceremony.

At other moments, his voice was loud and clear, his mental faculties clearly alert as he celebrated the Eucharist.

As for all those who feel that the Pope asks too much of his battered body, he had his own answer yesterday evening.

"Christ, even though He is aware of my human frailty, encourages me to answer as did Peter: 'Lord, you know all, you know I love you'.

"And then the Lord invites me to assume the responsibilities that He himself has bestowed on me."