POPE CARRIES EUCHARIST THROUGH STREETS OF ROME
Overwhelming Emotion and Crowds for Corpus Christi

ROME, JUNE 22 (ZENIT.org).- This evening, at the height of the
Jubilee, Rome witnessed the most overwhelming moments of the
International Eucharistic Congress that is being celebrated this
week. Today, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, more than
70,000 faithful invaded the streets of the Eternal
City to venerate the Eucharistic Christ in procession.

Immersed in a river of humanity, John Paul II was kneeling,
absorbed in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. He was carried
by a vehicle adapted for the occasion, including a small altar
where the monstrance was placed.

It was preceded by two children, who, quite enchanted, dropped
rose petals on the streets of Rome, as so many have done before
them throughout the centuries in so many cities. Corpus Christi
is a procession that has marked the subconscious of entire
generations of Christians. In Rome, this tradition has been
celebrated since the 15th century. The tradition was lost in the
Eternal City in 1870, the year during which the Pope was forced
to seek refuge within the Vatican walls during the vicissitudes
of Italy's unification. But, as soon as he was elected Bishop of
Rome, John Paul II restored this procession in 1979.

However, on this Jubilee occasion, the Holy Father introduced a
novelty, in light of the Holy Year, commemorating 2000 years
since the birth of Christ, he wanted this event to be a simple
and respectful profession of Christians' faith to the people of
the city who appeared at windows, on street corners, in bars and
squares, where they spend their daily life.

"We will escort the Eucharistic sacrament with humble pride
through the streets of the city, passing by the buildings where
people reside, rejoice, and suffer; through stores and offices
where daily life unfolds. We will put him in touch with our life,
threatened by a thousand dangers, oppressed by worries and
sorrows, subjected to the slow but inexorable passage of time,"
the Pope said during the Mass preceding the procession.

The celebration began at 7 p.m. in the atrium of the Basilica of
St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of of Rome, dedicated to Christ
the Savior, and Ss. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. The
Pope celebrated Mass with 250 Bishops, 50 Cardinals, over 1,000
priests from all the inhabited continents, and masses of pilgrims
filling the historic esplanade.

It was an overwhelming moment, framed by a beautiful sunset,
typical of Rome at this time of the year. A gentle, reddish sun
bathed the buildings surrounding the Square.

When the procession began, night was descending, and in no time
thousands of pilgrims with burning candles became a luminous
human river in honor of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Hebrews 9:24, "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands..."