Pope delegates cardinals to carry out Easter duties

POPE John Paul, who is in hospital recovering from surgery, has for the first time in his papacy delegated senior cardinals to preside at nearly all the Easter season ceremonies which he normally leads.

A programme issued by the Vatican yesterday showed that the frail 84-year-old Pope was only scheduled to deliver his traditional blessing on Easter Sunday. But the Easter Sunday Mass itself and nearly all of the other ceremonies between Palm Sunday on March 20 and Easter Sunday on March 27 will be presided over by cardinals.

It was not clear if the Pope would even be able to attend the ceremonies, make only brief appearances or join the faithful via television link-ups.