Pope Blesses Easter Crowd

Pope John Paul II, unable to speak, blessed the thousands gathered for Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square earlier this morning by making the sign of the cross with his hand. Today was the first Easter Mass during John Paul's papacy at which he did not preside. Cardinal Angelo Sodano filled in for the Pope and read his Easter message for him. Since the Pope's tracheostomy on February 24, he has only been able to utter a few words in public, and is not not able to speak fully. According to the Associated Press via the International Herald Tribune:

A prayer was said during the Mass asking for "life and new energies" for the ailing pontiff and the entire Catholic Church.

Read more: Pope celebrates Easter