Post by Tulameen on Feb 15, 2005 18:38:59 GMT -5
Pope's presence doubtful for Mass ending Retreat
Vatican, Feb. 15 (CWNews.com) - Vatican officials are uncertain whether or not Pope John Paul II (bio - news) will preside at the February 19 Mass to conclude the annual Lenten Retreat.
In a message sent out on February 15, the Vatican's liturgical office invited all the bishops of the Roman Curia to concelebrate the Mass. The invitation did not specify whether the Pope would participate in the ceremonies-- as his schedule had originally indicated that he would.
As usual, the principal celebrant for the Mass closing the Lenten Retreat will be the preacher selected by the Pope to lead the spiritual exercises: in this case, Bishop Renato Corti. The bishop will also deliver the homily. Pope John Paul was scheduled only to give the final blessing at the conclusion of the ceremony. Because of his fragile health, there is some question whether he can move to the Vatican basilica for the liturgical celebration.
In the 26 years of his pontificate, John Paul II has never missed participating the in Lenten Retreat. This year, however, informed sources report that he has not actually attended the first meditations, preached by Bishop Corti in the Redemptoris Mater chapel of the apostolic palace; instead he has followed the meditations from his own room, by closed-circuit television. The Pope's medical condition has been followed closely by journalists in Rome since his emergency hospitalization on February 1. Because he returned from the hospital just before the beginning of the Lenten Retreat, and had no public appearances scheduled this week, Vatican-watchers have had no way to gauge his recovery.
www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=35277
Vatican, Feb. 15 (CWNews.com) - Vatican officials are uncertain whether or not Pope John Paul II (bio - news) will preside at the February 19 Mass to conclude the annual Lenten Retreat.
In a message sent out on February 15, the Vatican's liturgical office invited all the bishops of the Roman Curia to concelebrate the Mass. The invitation did not specify whether the Pope would participate in the ceremonies-- as his schedule had originally indicated that he would.
As usual, the principal celebrant for the Mass closing the Lenten Retreat will be the preacher selected by the Pope to lead the spiritual exercises: in this case, Bishop Renato Corti. The bishop will also deliver the homily. Pope John Paul was scheduled only to give the final blessing at the conclusion of the ceremony. Because of his fragile health, there is some question whether he can move to the Vatican basilica for the liturgical celebration.
In the 26 years of his pontificate, John Paul II has never missed participating the in Lenten Retreat. This year, however, informed sources report that he has not actually attended the first meditations, preached by Bishop Corti in the Redemptoris Mater chapel of the apostolic palace; instead he has followed the meditations from his own room, by closed-circuit television. The Pope's medical condition has been followed closely by journalists in Rome since his emergency hospitalization on February 1. Because he returned from the hospital just before the beginning of the Lenten Retreat, and had no public appearances scheduled this week, Vatican-watchers have had no way to gauge his recovery.
www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=35277