Amid tight security at the Vatican, Pope John Paul today started four hectic days of services leading up to Easter by telling priests their behaviour must always be exemplary.
The 83-year-old pope presided at two Holy Thursday masses.
Offerings at the mass were to be donated to sick children in Burundi and Rwanda, which has just marked the 10th anniversary of the genocide there that shocked the world.
At the morning's "Mass of the Chrism", John Paul and priests renewed the vows they took when they were first ordained in a ceremony packed with pilgrims in St Peter's Basilica.
"The Christian people want to see us above all as men of prayer. Those who see us must experience from our words and our behaviour the faithful and merciful love of God," the pope said.
The Catholic Church is still reeling from scandals that have tarnished its image in Ireland, the United States and other Western countries where priests have sexually abused children.
The ailing pontiff did not mention the scandal in his homilies, which he read without difficulty. But his words were the latest in a series of calls to priests to remember their vows, including that of celibacy, and to shun all behaviour that could cause scandal.
Security has been heightened around the Vatican since Easter season celebrations began four days ago on Palm Sunday. While no specific threat has been made public, officials say they are on guard to thwart possible attacks in crowded places.
As the pope was saying mass police were checking and sealing manhole covers near St Peter's Square.
Last week, Italian media reported that intelligence agencies had warned the Vatican that the pope, who was shot in 1981, might be the target of an attack during the Easter period.