Pope appears for prayers in Rome

Pope John Paul II drove in his Popemobile yesterday to the heart of Rome to appear before several thousand worshippers and pray for peace and for victims of wars and violence.

Speaking at Spanish Square on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the 83-year-old pontiff appeared short of breath and spoke in a hoarse voice. He read his entire prayer, but did not kneel before the statue of the Virgin Mary as in previous years.