Pope intends to take Easter Mass

VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II intends to lead Easter Mass on Sunday after earlier faltering appearances during Holy Week.

The pope, who is 82 in May and suffers from an arthritic knee, was forced to miss two Masses because of ill-health.

But he took part in Good Friday's ceremonies and plans to play a full part in Sunday's Mass, a Vatican aide was reported by The Associated Press as telling Italian state television.

Monsignor Piero Marini, who assists John Paul at major public ceremonies, said: "The pope is better than he was at the beginning of Holy Week, so much so that it is foreseen that the pope himself will celebrate" the Easter Masses on Saturday and Sunday.

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The pontiff has insisted he will lead Saturday night's service at St Peter's Basilica where a special altar will be constructed to avoid him having to climb steps.

Marini has in recent years has offered the pope his arm when the pontiff's strength appeared to be waning in long ceremonies.

He added that because John Paul "doesn't want to give up" Saturday night's ceremony, "we'll try to avoid the steps that lead to the central altar of St. Peter's by constructing an altar at the foot" of the main altar.

The pope took part in a candlelit Good Friday procession at the Colosseum attended by thousands of worshippers despite looking frail and grimacing at times.

He stood and kissed the cross rather than in previous years when he helped carry it the distance.

Earlier, John Paul read a prayer: "Peace to those near and far. Peace to you, Jerusalem, city beloved by the Lord."

He was also able to listen to traditional Good Friday confessions from nine Roman Catholics at St Peter's Basilica during an hour long hearing.