Pope John Paul, who has been in ailing health for several years, has been described as being in a "a bad way" by one of the Vatican's most powerful figures, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. And in an interview with a German magazine the cardinal urged Catholics to pray for the 83-year-old.
Although the Pope met with bishops and pilgrims on Tuesday, according to aides his health fluctuates daily. Saying the pontiff is "in really bad shape" the newly appointed Archbishop Philippe Barbarin of Lyon added that he is "reaching the end of his road".
In recent weeks John Paul, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has had to cancel appointments due to "intestinal problems" and there has been speculation he is suffering from stomach cancer. In 1992, he underwent surgery for an intestinal tumour which, according to doctors, was turning malignant.
The most travelled pontiff in the history of the Vatican, Pope John Paul has continued to follow a punishing schedule despite his health problems. But now those close to him fear he may be taking on too much. Certainly his secretary George Ganswein was pulling no punches when he said the Catholic leader was failing "more and more each day".
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