Pope John Paul II

Benedict XVI will preside next week at a Mass marking the fifth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II.

The Mass will be held March 29 instead of the actual date of the Pope’s death, the Vatican reported, because April 2 falls on Good Friday.

During the prayers of the faithful, this petition will be offered in Polish: “For the Venerable Pope John Paul II, who served the Church to the limit of his strength: So that from heaven he intercedes to spread the hope that is realized by fully participating in the glory of the resurrection.”

In German, a petition will be offered for Benedict XVI, “so that he follows in the steps of Peter, carrying out his ministry with docile and firm perseverance to sustain the faithful.”

A petition in Spanish will pray for “those here united to remember Pope John Paul II: So that we know to love and serve the Church as he loved and served, giving testimony in the faith of God and offering his love to all.”

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 23, 2010 (Zenit.org)