Poles celebrate pope's 25th anniversary

KRAKOW, Poland -- Troubled by television pictures of a stooped and frail Pope John Paul II, Poles on Sunday celebrated the 25th anniversary of their native son's papacy with prayers for his health and memories of his inspiration for their overthrow of communism.\nThroughout this overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country, church leaders, former school chums and well-wishers cheered the former Karol Wojtyla, the cardinal from the southern city of Krakow whose Oct. 16, 1978, election as pope strengthened an oppressed nation.\nChurches and central squares were festooned with yellow papal banners as Poles expressed their affection for John Paul in Masses, concerts and national television specials. The pope planned to address his fellow Poles via satellite later Sunday, four days before his actual anniversary.