ITALY: VATICAN: POPE'S EASTER MESSAGE

(16 Apr 1995) German/Eng/Nat As Christians throughout the world celebrate Easter, the leader of the Catholic Church - Pope John Paul the Second - conducted a service at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Outside the Basilica gloomy weather didn't stop tens of thousands of faithful from jamming into St. Peter's Square for the pope's traditional Easter blessing. Tens of thousands were gathered at the Vatican today to hear the Pope deliver the traditional Easter Mass which was broadcast live in around 70 countries worldwide. His Easter Sunday message to the was one of peace to peoples seeking "recognition of their deepest aspirations". He also spoke of the millions of people suffering in poverty or war - in particular the Palestinians, the Kurds and the native people of Latin America. The 74-year-old Pope appeared frail as he spoke to the 20-thousand strong international congregation. Recently there has been growing concern over his health and who will succeed him. During his 16-year reign he has survived an assassination attempt, the removal of a large tumour the size of an orange and two heavy falls. Despite his failing health, millions continue to see him as a visionary, a man who has defined the doctrines of a religion that has found it difficult to compete with changing modern-day values. After the inside mass - 100-thousand people stood in rainy St Peter's Square giving the pope a rousing welcome when he appeared on a balcony high above the square to deliver his message of peace. VOXPOPS (1st woman) Well, I think today, despite all the weather, it's a wonderful occasion. It's the greatest occasion in the church - the resurrection - you know without the resurrection none of us could look forward to eternal life. (2nd Woman) I come from Taiwan and I'm a Christian - so I'm very happy here to the see the pope and the mass. Amongst 58 languages - the pope gave English speakers an Easter blessing. UPSOUND: Blessed Easter in the joy of Jesus Christ who is the Lord and Saviour of the world. SUPERCAPTION: Pope John Paul II The pontiff also spoke of the victims of violence in Algeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burundi and southern Sudan. He received final cheers from the assembly as he wished the world a 'Blessed Easter' and waved to the crowd. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...