The biggest in the history group of russian pilgrims (150 persons from different parts of the country) arrived in Rome on may, 15. This pilgrimage is a final event in the year of commemoration of The pope John Paul II. 16 may Moscow archbishop Thaddeus Kondrusiewicz have celebrated the holy mass in russian in the crypt of st. Peter’s basilica, close to the tomb of John Paul II. archbishop Kondrusiewicz emphasized the role of pope Wojtyla in the resurrection of catholic church in Russia and reminded that it was John Paul II who had restored 15 years ago catholic hierarchy, appointing 13 april 1991 two bishops to Moscow and Novosibisk. After the mass archbishop Kondrusiewicz put on the tomb of John Paul II a box with testimonies of russian catholics and prayers for quicker beatification on died pope, decorated with white, red and blue strips (colours of russian flag) and yellow and white (colours of the holy see).On may, 17 pilgrims met the pope Benedict XVI at the general audience and participated in the mass in the basilica santa Maria Maggiore. On thursday, may, 18 they continued their pilgrimage and went to Verona.
