Pope praises John Paul II

VATICAN CITY—Pope Benedict XVI has warmly praised his predecessor Pope John Paul II in a Holy Thursday address days before John Paul’s May 1 beatification.

Benedict said that “for all the shame we feel over our failings” the world must not forget what he called radiant examples of faith such as John Paul.

The pope cited John Paul after reflecting in his homily in St. Peter’s Basilica that people in the West seemed tired of their faith and bored with their Christian traditions.

Later Thursday the pope is to wash the feet of 12 priests in a ceremony symbolizing humility and commemorating Christ’s last supper.