Pope John Paul II salutes the crowd at his 25th anniversary Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Oct. 16, 2003. Tens of thousands of pilgrims streamed in for the Mass.
St. Peter's Square and Basilica are framed by a statue on the Colonnade at dusk during Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary Mass. Tens of thousands of pilgrims streamed into St. Peter's Square for the Mass at 6.pm. - about the same time a quarter-century ago that white smoke from a Vatican chimney alerted the world that a Polish cardinal named Karol Wojtyla had been elected the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.
Thousands gather in St. Peter's Square and Basilica at dusk during Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary Mass at the Vatican, Oct. 16, 2003.
Cardinals walk past a Vatican Swiss guard to attend the 25th anniversary Mass officiated by Pope John Paul II, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Oct. 16, 2003.
A woman is checked by a police officer as she arrives in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Oct. 16, 2003, to attend the 25th anniversary Mass officiated by Pope John Paul II.
Pope John Paul II, in white, background, reads his homily during his appearence before cardinals to sign an exhortation on the role of bishops, in the Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Oct. 16, 2003.
Faithfuls carry a painting of Jesus Christ prior to the 25th anniversary Mass by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square Oct. 16, 2003. Tens of thousands of pilgrims streamed into St. Peter's Square for the Mass.
Brazil's Cardinal Cludio Hummes answers newsman's question in St. Peter's Square, Oct. 16, 2003.
Vatican Swiss Guards salute the cardinals as they arrive for a meeting at the Vatican, Oct. 15, 2003. Cardinals from around the world began arriving in Rome to mark the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's papacy and for meetings that some see as an anticipation of the conclave that will elect his successor.
Cardinals and bishops listen to Pope John Paul II during the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Oct. 15, 2003. Pope John Paul II presided at his weekly general audience before tens of thousands of pilgrims packing St. Peter's Square for the 25th anniversary of his papacy.
Pope John Paul II arrives in the Paul VI hall to hear a "Message from the College of Cardinals to the Holy Father" at the Vatican, Oct. 16, 2003.
Pope John Paul II, with cardinals in red and bishops in purple, in background, makes the sign of the cross at the end of the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Oct. 15, 2003. Tens of thousands of pilgrims packed St. Peter's Square to pay tribute to the ailing pope for the 25th anniversary of his papacy.
The sun sets over St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Oct. 14, 2003. Thousands of Roman Catholic pilgrims from around the world were arriving in Italy to take part in celebrations at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary of his pontificate - which began on Oct. 16, 1978 - and for the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Small pins portraying Mother Teresa of Calcutta are displayed in a religious souvenir shop in the Borgo Pio district beside the Vatican in Rome Oct. 13, 2003. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is expected to be beatified by the Vatican on Oct. 19, as the last formal step before possible sainthood.
Pope John Paul II is helped by Vatican ushers to reach the altar prior to the start of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Oct. 15, 2003. Tens of thousands of pilgrims packed St. Peter's Square to pay tribute to the ailing Pontiff for the 25th anniversary of his papacy.
Newly-elected Pope John Paul II raises his arms in greeting the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Oct. 16, 1978.
New York Cardinal Edward Egan, left foreground, and Mexico City Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez Juan, next to Egan, are framed by a crucifix as they share a word, during the pope's weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican led by Pope John Paul II, Oct. 15, 2003. In the background are unidentified bishops.
Pope John Paul II is driven on his popemobile as the faithful react at the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Oct. 15, 2003.
The popemobile drives Pope John Paul II through the crowd of tens of thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Oct. 15, 2003.
Two nuns talk in St. Peter's Square prior to the start of the Angelus prayer, at the Vatican, Oct. 12, 2003. The pontiff gave thanks for his 25-year pontificate and asked for continued help to carry on, opening a week of ceremonies surrounding his papal anniversary amid increasing concerns about his health.