Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI today celebrated mass in St Peter's Square to mark the third anniversary of the death of predecessor John Paul II, praising his "exceptional spiritual and mystic sensibility."

Several thousand pilgrims joined in the commemoration of the first Polish pope, who ruled the Roman Catholic Church for nearly 27 years and died aged 84.

John Paul II's personal secretary Stanislaw Dziwisz, who has since become the archbishop of Krakow, as well as several other cardinals co-celebrated the mass with Benedict XVI.

In his homily, Benedict noted "the many human and supernatural qualities" of John Paul II including "an exceptional spiritual and mystic sensibility."

He recalled one of the late pope's final appearances when John Paul II, suffering from Parkinson's disease, could not speak. It was on Good Friday, when Christians mark Christ's crucifixion.

"This eloquent scene of human suffering and faith ... showed the secret of the whole of Christian life to the faithful and to the world," he said.

Benedict said John Paul II "personally knew and experienced the horrible tragedies of the 20th century, and he long wondered what could stem the tide of evil."

Only "the love of God" provided the answer, Benedict said, urging the worshippers to "thank the Lord for having given the Church this faithful and courageous servant."

Born Karol Wojtyla on May 18,1920,in Wadowice, near Krakow, John Paul II lived through his country's occupation by the Nazis and subsequent communist rule.

Yesterday, the prelate in charge of the beatification process for John Paul II said the dossier was nearly complete for the popular late pope to take the first step to sainthood. 
Source : PTI