VATICAN: Pope John Paul II appeared via video at the Way of the Cross commemoration of Christ's suffering at Rome's torchlit Colosseum last night.
The faithful who had gathered at the Colosseum cheered and waved torches as the Pope appeared on large screens a number of times during the evening - the first time he has been physically absent in his 26-year pontificate. He did not speak.
Vatican TV installed giant television screens at the Colosseum, and on the plateau overlooking the Colosseum where the Pope used to sit there was a torchlit cross.
The Pope was seen on the giant screens sitting alone in his private chapel at the Vatican, wearing white robes and a red stole, watching the procession on a television screen under the chapel altar.
The pontiff also sent a message to the crowd which was read at the start by his vicar for Rome, Italian Cardinal Camillo Ruini.
In it, the Pope said he was spiritually among those at the Colosseum recalling Christ's last hours. "I also offer my suffering, so that God's design is completed and his word walks among the people," the message said. "I am near all those who in these moments are tested by suffering. I pray for each of them," he said.
Since leaving hospital on March 13th, following a tracheotomy operation to relieve breathing difficulties, the 84-year-old Pope's post-operative recovery has been slow.
On the four occasions that he has appeared in public, including last night, the Pope has looked weak and appears to have lost weight.
Such is his current state of health that his medical advisors, led by his personal physician Dr. Renato Buzzonetto, ruled out any direct participation by the Pope in any of the Vatican's Easter week ceremonies.
Instead, he has been limited to last night's video appearance and, all being well, to a video appearance during tomorrow's traditional "Urbi et Orbi" Easter Sunday blessing.
Throughout this week, the Vatican's Easter ceremonies have been led by senior Curia Cardinals.
On Holy Thursday, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presided over the Chrism mass during which a message from the Pope was read out, in which he said: "From my apartment, through the television, I am with you spiritually".
Last night, the Via Crucis prayers and meditations were led by one of the Pope's closest and most trusted collaborators, German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Speaking on a pre-recorded programme on Italian television last night, Cardinal Ratzinger had dismissed the idea that throughout these last years of illness the Pope has been unable to govern the Church.
He said: "The Pope remains totally lucid and that itself is a Gift from God given the sufferings inflicted on the body of John Paul II".
Additional reporting: AP