Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon, yesterday met Pope John Paul II in a private audience in the Vatican in what he described as "one of the most moving moments" of his life, writes Paddy Agnew, in Rome.
Mr Mallon attended the Pope's daily 7 a.m. private Mass in the Apostolic Palace, reading a lesson during the simple service and then exchanging greetings with the Pope.
Reflecting on recent media speculation that the Pope might resign because of his ill-health, Mr Mallon said he had found the Pope intellectually strong and well.