Pope John Paul II is seen here during the Good Friday procession sitting at his chapel in the Vatican. He was shown to the gathered crowds through a video hookup.
Cardinal James Stafford giving blessing at Saint Peter's Basilica while presiding over Good Friday services. Thousands gather at Saint Peter's Basilica for Good Friday prayers.
Pope manages to appear via video on Good Friday
CTV.ca News Staff
Pope John Paul II wasn't able to physically attend Good Friday observances, but did manage to make an appearance via video from his chapel in the Vatican.
The ailing pontiff was able to send a message to a Good Friday procession.
The faithful who gathered at the Coliseum for the procession cheered and waved torches as the pope appeared in profile, sitting alone at the chapel watching the ceremony on a television screen under the chapel's altar.
John Paul also sent a message to the crowd that was read by his vicar for Rome, Italian Cardinal Camillo Ruini.
In it, John Paul said he was spiritually among those at the Coliseum recalling Christ's last hours.
"I am near all those who in these moments are tested by suffering. I pray for each of them," he said.
Earlier in the day, for the first time in the 26-year history of his papacy, John Paul broke from his tradition of hearing Good Friday confessions from the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica.
American cardinal James Stafford
stood in for the Pope at a meditation service in St. Peter's Basilica, as worried followers keenly felt the pontiff's absence from major Holy Week events.
Meanwhile, Christians from around the world gathered in Jerusalem's Old City on Friday, walking along the Via Dolorosa, or Way of the Cross, following the path believed to have been taken by Jesus on his way to be crucified.
On Holy Thursday, John Paul was in his apartment and watched services in St. Peter's Basilica on television as a cardinal read a message to the faithful on his behalf in an early evening service recalling the Last Supper of Christ.
"With mind and heart I am close to you," the pontiff said in the Holy Thursday message.
The Pope's health has very publicly been in decline this year, with two bouts of hospitalization. In all he has had to spend 28 days in hospital in the span of two months. As well, a breathing tube had to be surgically inserted into his throat on Feb. 24.
At age 84, John Paul has also been battling Parkinson's disease and arthritis for years. He has only made three brief appearances since being discharged from hospital on Mar. 13.
Catholics, however, are still hopeful the pontiff will be able to deliver his traditional Easter Sunday blessing, even though he is not expected to preside over the actual mass.
The pope's gaunt appearance the few times he has been seen has led to speculation in the Italian media that his condition has suffered a sharp setback.
Just this week, Vatican officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, denied there's been any sudden crisis but acknowledged the convalescence may be behind schedule.
The Vatican has not released any new details on the state of the Pope's since his last release from hospital. Instead, church officials says the pope is continuing to carry out his major duties.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, it was reported the pope had named new bishops in the Ivory Coast and Spain. Under church law, only a pope can nominate bishops.
Pope John Paul II unable to lead Good Friday mass in Rome (file)
Pope John Paul II, the most visible global Christian leader and head of the largest Christian denomination, Roman Catholicism, has for the first time been unable to lead traditional Good Friday services in Rome.

He appeared to worshippers via a video presentation from the Vatican.

The Catholic leader has been diagnosed with pulmonary illness and Parkinson's disease.

Catholic services on this day are strictly liturgies of the word with an optional Eucharist, as the Mass cannot be celebrated on Good Friday.