A Reflective John Paul Marks 20 Years as Pontiff
Wiping away a tear, Pope John Paul II reflected on his 20 years as pontiff Sunday and wondered aloud how well he has served the church.
The pope hugged, one by one, about a dozen Roman schoolchildren who had waved colored scarves in a dance of joy for him on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The children were among about 75,000 well-wishers who gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the pope’s Mass to mark the anniversary of his Oct. 16, 1978, election to the papacy.
“After 20 years of service on Peter’s seat, on this day I cannot help but ask myself some questions,” the pope said.
“Have you been a diligent and vigilant master of the faith of the church?”
And, another question to himself: “Have you tried to satisfy the expectations of the faithful of the church and also the hunger for truth that we feel in the world outside of the church?”
The 78-year-old pope offered no answers.
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