VATICAN CITY, Dec 31 (AFP) - Pope John Paul II was set to enter 2005 with midnight mass prayers for the victims of the Asian flood disasters, the Vatican announced Friday.
The 84-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church was to celebrate mass in his private chapel by "turning his thoughts towards the families of victims and all those who have suffered from the effects of this disaster, together with those engaged in alleviating the great suffering of the affected population," said Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls.
On Wednesday the pope appealed for the public to donate generously towards disaster relief funds.
Earlier Friday, he also prayed for the victims during mass in St Peter's to give thanks for the past year.
Several thousand worshippers heard the ailing pope, who appeared particularly concentrated, and delivered the homily in a relatively clear voice.
Last Sunday, when news of the catastrophe first broke, he said the Christmas festival had been "marred by sadness over news from Southeast Asia which was hit by a massive earthquake that struck Indonesia with consequences for Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and the Maldives.
"We pray for the victims of this huge tragedy and we hope that the world community will mobilize to rush aid to the affected population," he added.
12/31/2004 18:34 GMT - AFP