Non-Catholics Join Pope in Rite
With help from the spiritual leader of Anglicans and an Orthodox prelate, Pope John Paul II opened a symbolic door Tuesday in a ceremony that grew out of his dream of uniting Christians.
The archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, and Metropolitan Athanasios, representing the world’s Orthodox, were the most prominently featured of the more than 20 non-Catholic participants in the service to open the Holy Door of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls Basilica.
Starting on Christmas Eve in St. Peter’s Basilica, the pontiff opened the special doors of three basilicas by himself to mark the start of the Vatican’s current Holy Year.
But to highlight his goal of healing divisions among Christians, he saved the last basilica door to be opened together with non-Catholics.
The service was believed to be the largest gathering of Christian leaders with a pope since the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council.
The 79-year-old pope appeared in exceptionally good form. He walked confidently around the atrium of the church and up its center aisle without help from aides.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
