Cheered on by thousands of pilgrims, a fragile Pope John Paul launched yesterday a week of celebration and ceremony to mark his 25th anniversary as head of the Roman Catholic Church. Bent by age and ailment, the 83-year old pope thanked the crowds for their support throughout his long pontificate, especially the young. ?I would like to thank them for always being near to me during these years and I would like them to know that I carry on counting on them,? he said, speaking from his window high above St Peter?s Square for his regular Sunday address.

?You are the future of the world, you are the hope of the Church, you are my hope,? he added, repeating a sentence from his first Sunday Angelus, a quarter of a century ago. The pope, who suffers Parkinson?s disease and can no longer walk, appeared alert during the brief appearance, but as in recent weeks he had to pause regularly for breath and his heavy sighs echoed eerily around the column-ringed piazza. At one point he twisted away for a violent sneeze and the crowd broke into spontaneous applause as he battled to muster his energy and push ahead with his speech.

Worries about the pope?s health have overshadowed the build up to the anniversary, with top cardinals admitting he was in a bad way and some suggesting he was approaching death. However, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano said on Friday the pope was still firmly in charge of the one-billion-member Church and Vatican officials say there are no plans to scale back his hectic schedule this month.

The pope marks his anniversary on Thursday and has invited all the world?s 195 cardinals to the Vatican to join in the celebrations, giving them a rare opportunity to meet and no doubt discuss what will happen when he finally goes.

The pope will address the scarlet-clad princes of his Church on the morning of October 16 and will then preside over a Mass which is expected to draw thousands of faithful. ?I would like immediately to thank all those who want to join me, with their prayers, offering thanks to God for his continued and providential help,? the pope said yesterday.

Crispian Balmer