2 Million Gather Near Rome to Hear the Pope at Youth Day Rally
ROME — As many as 2 million candle-waving Roman Catholic pilgrims lighted up the hills outside Rome on Saturday in a spirited World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II.
A helicopter ferried in the 80-year-old pontiff as the sun set, cooling a day that had reached 100 degrees--baking the crowds blanketing a 15-acre university campus.
The pope smiled broadly as young people supported each of his arms while he shuffled slowly to his popemobile, which drove him to center stage for the evening vigil.
With the Saturday night prayer pep rally, John Paul sought to charge up the faith of the young Catholics so that they will steadfastly lead the church in a new era.
His speech was frequently interrupted by cheering, singing and shouts of “Long live the pope!” At one point, the pope responded, “John Paul Two, he loves you!”
Crowds lighted candles as darkness fell. John Paul closed the evening by saying, “Tonight they heard us in Rome. And they will never forget it!”
The pope left before midnight, but most of the faithful bedded down for the night in sleeping bags, waiting for him to return this morning for a Mass.
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