Pope John Paul II, determined to celebrate Easter ceremonies despite painful ailments, marked the final hours before the holiday at Saturday's candlelight vigil in St. Peter's Basilica, the most solemn ceremony in the Catholic calendar. The 81-year-old pontiff, who has trouble walking and suffers from the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, skipped several traditional rites this Holy Week for the first time since he became pope in 1978. But he insisted on his role in Easter ceremonies, and the Vatican set up a special low altar in St. Peter's Basilica so he wouldn't have to climb stairs. "This is the night of nights, the night of faith and of hope. While all is shrouded in darkness, God -- the Light -- keeps watch," John Paul said during the three-hour ceremony.

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