Holy Week, the most important time of the year for the Roman Catholic Church, places Pope John Paul II at the center of time-honored rituals climaxing with his outdoor Mass in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.

On Thursday, the 73-year-old Pope continues an Eastertide tradition by washing the feet of priests in the basilica of St. John Lateran. On Good Friday, he hears confessions in St. Peter's.

Saturday night, John Paul presides at a lengthy Easter vigil at St. Peter's. After the Easter Mass, transmitted to dozens of countries around the world, the pontiff will deliver his annual Urbi et Orbi message--To the City and the World.