|
|
|
|
|
A Nativity tapestry hangs over Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II during the Midnight Christmas Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican (news - web sites), December 24, 2004. The Pope led the world's one billion Roman Catholics into Christmas Day and said the troubled world needed the message of Jesus more than ever, braving Parkinson's Disease to deliver his sermon. The Pope celebrated Christmas midnight mass in St Peter's Basilica attended by some 10,000 people and watched by tens of millions live on television in more than 70 countries, including several predominantly Muslim nations. The 84-year-old Pope, who has difficulty speaking because of his illness, lessened the strain this year, limiting his sermon to a mere eight paragraphs, the shortest of his 27 Christmas seasons as Pontiff. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi |
|
Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II lights a peace candle at the window of his private apartment at the Vatican (news - web sites) prior to celebrating Midnight Christmas Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, December 24, 2004. The Pope, now in his 27th Christmas season, read a sermon that was significantly shorter than in past years. In the sermon, he reminded Catholics that Jesus was food for eternal life. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi |
|
Italian Police in charge of protecting the area around the Vatican (news - web sites) use a new 'Lamborghini Street Model' cart to patrol St Peter's Square at the Vatican, December 24, 2004. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi |
|
The top of Saint Peter's Basilica is seen beside the Vatican (news - web sites) Christmas tree in Saint Peter's Square December 15, 2004. The tree, which was donated to Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II from the northern Italian area of Trentino Alto-Adige, is 35 meters high, weighs 87.000 kilos and is 110-years-old. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |