Pope makes first appearance at Vatican window
Pope Benedict XVI today made the first window appearance of his papacy, saying he was keeping up the popular tradition of his “beloved” predecessor, John Paul II, who last appeared to crowds in St Peter’s Square in silent suffering.
With tens of thousands of people gathered in the square below, Benedict stood at the window of the papal apartment, which he moved into a day earlier, blessed the crowd, wished Orthodox Christians a happy Easter and said he hoped efforts toward Christian unity would continue.
Yesterday, Benedict took formal possession of the official papal residence that was sealed after John Paul died on April 2.
Today was warm and sunny and thousands of faithful and curious gathered in the square before the noon appointment.
