Pope starts 25th year of fifth-longest pontificate

VATICAN CITY — Pope John Paul II began the 25th year of history’s fifth longest pontificate Oct. 16 by asserting that he is determined to continue his reign despite failing health.

To mark the occasion, he announced the first major change in centuries to the rosary, a form of prayer and meditation dear to him and to many millions of Catholics.

The 82-year-old John Paul, who suffers from the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and arthritis, presided over his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, which coincided with the 24th anniversary of his election on Oct. 16, 1978.

Bands played, some 20,000 pilgrims cheered and waved scarves and banners and the pontiff at one point sang a Polish song praising the Madonna.