The Pope makes his jubilee visits

THE Pope made his jubilee visits to three Rome basilicas on Saturday last as a Holy Year pilgrim, completing the acts of devotion prescribed for all seeking the jubilee indulgence.
He had made his pilgrimage visit to St. Peter's at the begin ning of the Holy Year. On Saturday, he visited St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul's Outside the Walls.
It was the first time since 1870 that a Pope had made such visits to Roman basilicas outside the boundaries of Vatican City.
The Holy Father drove up from his summer villa at Castelgandolfo alone in his special car, which has a throne-like seat in the back.. Two other cars carrying Vatican dignitaries accompanied him.
At St. John Lateran, he was greeted by the Chapter of the basilica. A platoon of Palatine Guards and a detachment of Vatican. gendarmes formed an avenue for him.
Walking slowly but with a firm step, the Pope moved to the Holy Door, knelt and prayed and then rose and entered the basilica as a crowd of 20,000 shouted Viva Papa.
At the main altar the Holy Father knelt to recite the special jubilee prayers, including the one he wrote himself for. the Holy Year. Holy Year hymns were sung by the Chapter and clergy.
Almost all the diplomats
accredited to the Holy See attended the brief ceremony. The Pope then left the basilica, re-entered his car and drove to St. Mary Major and. later, to St. Paul's Outside the Walls.
The Holy Father completed his jubilee visits at 12.30 p.m. and left immediately for his summer home. At St. Mary Major he appeared on the central balcony to give his Apostolic benediction to the waiting people.