Sick Pope misses his first Ash Wednesday prayers
Ailing Pope John Paul II will miss out on today’s Ash Wednesday prayers that usher in the Lenten period – a first in his 26-year papacy.
Although the Vatican says the 84-year-old Pope’s health continues to improve since he was rushed to the hospital on February 1 with breathing spasms and the flu, doctors have persuaded him to prolong his stay to be on the safe side. His eighth night in the hospital passed calmly, ANSA news agency said early today.
At today’s service at St Peter’s Basilica, American cardinal James Stafford will preside in the name of John Paul – an unavoidable, but no doubt reluctant substitution for a Pope deeply stirred by the traditional period of penitence, sacrifice and reflection that culminates with Easter.
The Vatican did not say whether the Pope planned anything special in his room at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic hospital to mark Ash Wednesday, a holiday he has not missed with public prayers since he became pope in 1978.
Officials say the pontiff has been holding Mass regularly for the doctors and nurses treating him since he was rushed to the clinic. John Paul is expected to remain there at least until tomorrow, when the Holy See issues its next medical update.
Ash Wednesday traditionally kicks off a few weeks of spiritual reflection for the Pope ahead of the taxing Holy Week services, which culminate with Easter on March 27.
With the Pope in such frail health, it remained unclear whether he would be able to preside over the traditional March 25 Good Friday prayer service at the Colosseum re-enacting Christ’s Passion. He has long since stopped walking in the Colosseum procession while carrying a cross; in recent years, the faithful have carried the cross and made the symbolic Stations of the Cross walk while the Pope observed and read a homily.
The Pope’s long struggle with Parkinson’s disease and crippling hip and knee ailments have many Roman Catholics questioning how long he can continue to serve. The Vatican’s number official, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, caused a stir this week by publicly suggesting for the first time that the Vatican may be discussing the sensitive issue.
Popes may resign but cannot be forced to do so and John Paul has repeatedly said he has no intention of abdicating. The last time a pope willingly resigned was in the 13th century.
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