Today is the 25th anniversary of the assassination attempt on John Paul II. Michael notes that the spot, which was previously marked only by a faintly reddish cobblestone in the square, is now marked with a plaque

(Fr. Z, who lives in Rome, has before and after photos of the spot, as well as nice pics of the fireworks -yes – fireworks)

And to remember:

Yesterday, for the third time, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima arrived in Rome; today it will the focus of a procession organized to mark the anniversary of that tragic event. Tonight, it was placed in the private chapel of Benedict XVI.

Around 20,000 pilgrims are expected to turn up for the prayer event. The cortege from Castel Sant’Angelo will be led to the Basilica of St Peter by Cardinal Ivan Dias of Mumbai, India. A pause to recite two prayers – one composed by John Paul II and the other by his then secretary, today a cardinal, Stanislaw Dziwisz – will take place at the place where the assassination attempt took place.

In the afternoon, Cardinal Camillo Ruini will celebrate Mass in the Basilica. At the end, in the square, below the windows of the pope, a fireworks display will be held.

(Click here for photo details and credits)

One more note: When you go to St. Peter’s, you see, way up to the north of the Basilica, built into another building, a mosaic of the Blessed Virgin and the Child Jesus.  It was placed there after the assassination attempt – because, of course, John Paul credited her prayers in saving his life, and also noted that there was not a single image of Mary in the piazza of St. Peter’s.

Benedict noted this on the feast of the Annunciation this year:

“The importance of the Marian principle in the Church was particularly highlighted, after the Council, by my beloved predecessor Pope John Paul II, in harmony with his motto Totus tuus. In his spirituality and in his tireless ministry, the presence of Mary as Mother and Queen of the Church was made manifest to the eyes of all. More than ever he adverted to her maternal presence in the assassination attempt of 13 May 1981 in Saint Peter’s Square. In memory of that tragic event, he had a mosaic of the Virgin placed high up in the Apostolic Palace, looking down over Saint Peter’s Square, so as to accompany the key moments and the daily unfolding of his long reign. It is just one year since his pontificate entered its final phase, full of suffering and yet triumphant and truly paschal.

Photo via the quite wonderful and comprehensive St. Peter’s Basilica.org website…Invaluable resource!