THE VATICAN: Fresh concern about the declining health of Pope John Paul II was prompted yesterday by comments attributed to German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and one of the Pope's closest and most trusted advisors.
Interviewed in the German magazine, Bunte, Cardinal Ratzinger said: "He is in a bad way. We should pray for the Pope."
The 83-year-old pontiff, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease and chronic arthritis, has looked especially frail in the last month. During a pastoral visit to Slovakia two weeks ago, he was in patent difficulty, unable to read his speeches, short of breath and in obvious pain.
Last week, an intestinal indisposition prevented him attending his weekly General Audience in St Peter's Square, something that has happened on only a handful of occasions during the 25 years of his pontificate.
Vatican commentators were yesterday speculating that Cardinal Ratzinger's remarks might represent a gentle indication that the Pope's already poor health has taken a serious downturn over the summer.
Certainly senior Church figures no longer seem intent on playing down the seriousness of the Pope's condition.
Welcoming the Pope to the Slovak town of Banska Bystrica last month, local Bishop Rudolf Balaz said: "Your visit is extremely precious for us because you come to us with weakened health, that is, with much strain and bearing a cross." Later, in a briefing for reporters, Bishop Balaz said that "you would have to be blind" not to see how much weaker the Pope has become, adding his belief that had it not been for the 1981 Ali Agca assassination attempt, then John Paul II "would easily have the force to lead the Church until he was 90".
Notwithstanding his health problems, however, the Pope continued his working routine yesterday, receiving a delegation of Philippine bishops.
Furthermore, preparations for his General Audience today were going ahead as per usual.
The Pope's declining health will be further tested later this month when he has a very full calendar that includes celebrations for the 25th anniversary of his election, the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a visit to a Marian shrine in Pompei, a consistory of Cardinals and a meeting next Saturday with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams.