21.   The pope gave communion to dozens of people coming to the flower-ringed altar.

22.   The pope gave special acknowledgment to a group of Rome physicians for organizing a conference to discuss biomedical issues.

23.   The pope has been giving periodic talks on the need for forgiveness and reconciliation as he prepares the Roman Catholic church to begin its third millennium.

24.   The pope was giving a Mass and a homily about youth.

25.   The pope gave no new details Sunday.

26.   Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls issued a tersely worded statement saying the pope had given no such indications of hastily setting a day for a canonization ceremony soon.

27.   The pope has given no sign of being worried at his forthcoming operation.

28.   Obando y Bravo said the pope would give a homily underscoring the role of the family as the basis for society.