An emotional Pope John Paul says he intends to stay on as leader of the Roman Catholic Church "as long as God wants."
The pope made his comment to cardinals and bishops from around the world at the close of a four-day seminar on his pontificate, which marked its 25th anniversary on Thursday.
"I ask you to continue to pray for me so that I faithfully carry out my service to the Church for as long as God wants," he said, speaking in slow Italian.
As has become custom, a senior aide read most of his address to the group, gathered in the Vatican's audience hall. The pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has asked aides to help him read his speeches in order to conserve his strength.
The pontiff, who appeared in relatively good form but with glassy eyes that betrayed his emotion, was then due to have lunch with the prelates.
Saturday's comment was nearly identical to one he made on Thursday when he said God wanted him to continue leading the Catholic Church despite his frailty.
As the pope spoke inside the Vatican, preparations were starting in St Peter's Square for Sunday's beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India's revered "Saint of the Gutters".
The anniversary festivities reach their climax on October 21 when the pope elevates 31 prelates to the College of Cardinals - the elite group that will choose his successor after he dies.