Just before midday, the Pope arrived in the basilica in a special chair, from which he imparted the sacrament of reconciliation, thanks to a special confessional that was prepared for the occasion.
For over an hour, the Holy Father heard the confessions of five men and six women — two Spaniards, two Poles, two Italians, two Ukrainians, an American, a Canadian and a Slovak — administering the sacrament in Spanish, Polish, Italian, Ukrainian, English and Slovak.
Thousands of pilgrims and tourists who were in the basilica broke out in applause when they saw his white-clad figure.
Persons entering the basilica had to submit to metal control detectors, a security measure established given the possibility of terrorist attacks.
