Pope extends the Rosary after seven centuries

Pope John Paul II marked 24 years on the Vatican's throne yesterday by announcing the first addition to one of Catholicism's most important prayers since it was formulated seven centuries ago.

Proving that his urge to continue putting his stamp on the church he heads remains as strong as ever, the Pope introduced five new "mysteries" to the Rosary, the traditional prayer of Catholic families. The additionsare the first since the prayer was written by Dominican priests in the Middle Ages.