Pope Benedict XVI remembers John Paul II in Via Crucis

Apr 15, 2006, 1:28 GMT

Rome - Pope Benedict XVI paid tribute to his predecessor, John Paul II, as he led the Via Crucis procession in Rome Friday - his first since his election as head of the Roman Catholic Church one year ago.

In an unprepared speech delivered at the end of the candle lit ceremony, Benedict spoke of the suffering of abused and abandoned children, the threats facing the family today and the divisions in the world, but also of the mercy that his predecessor had 'taught all of us'.

Also called Stations of the Cross and Via Dolorosa, the Via Crucis is a traditional Good Friday ceremony recalling Jesus Christ's death by crucifixion.

During the procession by the city's ancient Coliseum, Benedict held on to a heavy wooden cross in the first of the 14 stations - in which Jesus is sentenced to death - and the last - in which Jesus is laid to rest in a tomb.

Thousands of ordinary Catholics joined in the procession, which was broadcast live in more than 40 countries.

Friday's ritual called to the mind of many last year's ceremony, which took place just days before the late Pope John Paul II passed away.

John Paul was forced to miss that Via Crucis for the first time in his 26-year pontificate due to his failing health, but nevertheless managed to follow it on television from his private chapel at the Vatican.

He was to die eight days later, on April 2, 2005, at the age of 84.

The meditations and prayers read out during that ceremony were prepared by Ratzinger at the request of John Paul, when the German- born cardinal was still at the helm of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The Polish-born pontiff has since been placed on the fast-track to sainthood and was also honoured during meditations read out at the 12th station, when he was mentioned alongside St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

This year's meditations focussed on the loss of the sense of sin and its consequences for humanity and were written by Italian Archbishop Angelo Comastri, Benedict's vicar for the Vatican City- State.

Elected pope on April 19, 2005, Joseph Ratzinger has been presiding over Easter celebrations, which will culminate on Easter Sunday with the pope's traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing 'to the city and the world.' On that day, Benedict will also be celebrating his 79th birthday.