Vatican City, Dec 7, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Appearing in a good form on Wednesday, Pope John Paul presided over the 150th Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception and consecrated the Church tu Mary.
The Pontiff reminded Catholics that the dogma proclaimed by Pope Pius IX is a central element of their faith.
The 84-year old Pope, flanked by lines of cardinals and bishops, highlighted the feast on its 150th anniversary and called for Catholics to renew their devotion to Mary for the "peace and salvation of all people".
"The Immaculate Conception is lighthouse for humanity in every time. At the start of the third millennium, it is the beacon to show us the way to believe and hope in God," the Pope told thousands of pilgrims gathered at St. Peter's square.