Cardinal: Pope in "a bad way"

Reuters/Fox News ^

[Dog]

German Cardinal Says Pope 'In a Very Bad Way' Tue September 30, 2003 08:23 AM ET BERLIN (Reuters) - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the German head of the Vatican body which oversees doctrinal matters, was quoted on Tuesday as saying Pope John Paul was in very poor health and the faithful should pray for him. "He is in a very bad way," Ratzinger told Germany's Bunte magazine in an interview. "We should pray for the pope."

Ratzinger, who heads the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, told the magazine that the 83-year-old pope had taken on too much, but he was unable to stop him.

The increasingly frail pope was particularly weak earlier this month on a trip to Slovakia and needed help reading his sermons. Last week, he skipped his general audience because of what the Vatican said was an intestinal problem.

Ratzinger's private secretary, Georg Gaenswein, said it was amazing how the pope, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease, kept going.

"He can't walk and stand anymore but he is a hero for the faithful. The fact that he doesn't give up despite his illness makes him even more credible," Gaenswein told Bunte.

He said the pope would not give up traveling. "When he is no longer allowed to travel, then dear God will come for him," Gaenswein said.

The leader of the world's one billion Roman Catholics, who marks his 25th anniversary next month, appointed 31 new cardinals on Sunday, possibly putting his last stamp on the group that will one day choose his successor.

[Dog]

This is breaking on Fox...

[Coop]

God bless the Holy Father.

[Dog]

Ratzinger is one of the Pope's closest advisors...

[Dog]

Amen..

[hobbes1]

ping.

[xsmommy]

just saw it, thanks.

[alisasny]

'The pope is in really bad shape'

September 30 2003 at 04:04AM




By Peter Popham


Rome - Pope John Paul II is the hottest tip as winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize to be announced in 10 days' time, but there are major fears for his health.

His appointment of 31 new cardinals on Sunday is being taken as a clear sign that his days are numbered, according to a Vatican insider.

The 83-year-old pontiff's health has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks. He has been suffering from Parkinson's disease for a decade, and speculation last week that he now also has cancer of the intestines has not been denied.

The director of the independent Peace Research Institute in Oslo said he believed the pope was the most likely Nobel winner, even though he thought the committee wanted a Muslim winner.

'No Muslim candidate sent a message of peace in Iraq to the same degree'
"No Muslim candidate sent a message of peace in Iraq to the same degree as the pope."

The pope was a staunch, often fiery opponent of the war. Despite his poor health, he mounted a sustained diplomatic campaign of resistance, sending envoys to both Baghdad and Washington.

Rumours of the Nobel award came one day after the pope made arrangements for what one insider called his "final sprint".

The decision to hold a consistory next month instead of in February as planned was interpreted by Vatican observers as a clear sign that John Paul knows his time is running out. A consistory is the process during which the appointment of new cardinals - the "princes" of the Catholic Church - is confirmed.

It is the conclave of cardinals, meeting a fortnight after a pope's death, that chooses the successor to St Peter's throne.

'The pope is reaching the end of the road'
An Italian Vatican expert wrote on Monday that the decision to hold the consistory four months ahead of schedule was strongly rumoured to have been at the insistence of the pope himself.

One of the newly appointed cardinals, Archbishop Phillippe Barbarin, of Lyons, France, told Europe 1 Radio on Monday: "The pope is reaching the end of the road. It's a big responsibility for us. The pope is in really bad shape."

He has forced himself forward through many years of his failing health by giving himself new goals.

The major milestones next month - his own jubilee and the beatification of Mother Teresa - may have given him the will to continue thus far.

Thus far, but perhaps no further.



This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on September 30, 2003

[xsmommy]

that makes me very sad.

[dogbyte12]

Most catholics alive today, have nothing but vague memories of anybody but John Paul II as pope. There are adults now who were born after he took office. His eventual passing will profoundly affect the church.

[TexasGunLover]

I was able to see the Pope in Italy at his weekly Wednesday audience on September 3rd. He looked bad, but even as a protestant, I was touched by the love of God in his words. It was a very touching moment for me. I pray for him and that God will take him according to His plan.

[Delbert]

It will be very intersting to see who his successor will be. Pope John Paul II is a very good man, amazing how he has held on the way he has in spite of his fragile health. God bless him.

[Malacoda]

May God bless this Pope, and comfort him in his time of illness.

And may God guide the College of Cardinals to allow God to work through them, and elect as good and Godly a Pope as this one has been, to serve as the successor of the Fisherman.

[smith288]

I respect the Pope emensely even though I am a Baptist. The man is an authority for principal and morals. When his time is up, God will take him home as he is a faithful servent to his Kingdom. May Christs love continue to spread across the globe.

[MEG33]

I am not Catholic but I ,too respect the Pope as a good and godly man.May God be with him always.

[Cicero]

May God bless him and take him to Himself when it is time.

Cardinal Ratzinger has been a faithful friend and right-hand man to the Pope. He too is getting old and would have retired if it were not for his sense of duty.

God bless them both, and may the next Pope be faithful too. The Church and the world need it.

[Int]

"The Pope Has No Complex About Appearing Frail"

[Notwithstanding]

To all of you who are not Catholic but have posted such kind words: God bless you and thank you for your charity toward my pastor, John Paul.

[biblewonk]

He is the most Marian pope they've had in a long time. I wonder if the next one will be more so.

[kitkat]

***God bless them both, and may the next Pope be faithful too. The Church and the world need it.***

There are those who seek to destroy the Church and all religion. Prayers are desperately needed that the College of Cardinals choose a new Pope who will refute the liberals among them.

[jmc813]

I could have sworn that I heard on the radio news the other day that the Pope delivered a sermon and he sounded a lot stronger than he has in the recent past.