U.S. Cardinal James Francis Stafford presides the celebration of the Passion of Christ service in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. U.S. Cardinal James Francis Stafford, acting as substitute for the Pope, presides the celebration of the Passion of Christ service in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 25, 2005. Christians around the world commemorated the death of Christ on Good Friday and a senior cardinal sought to reassure Roman Catholics, saying Pope John Paul was still "lucid" despite his great physical frailty. For the first time in his pontificate, now in its 27th year, the Pope has been forced to delegate senior cardinals to represent him at all Holy Week leading up to Easter on Sunday. REUTERS/Alessia Pierdomenico