Vatican tries to stem conjecture on pope

Christian Century, Nov 15, 2003

The Vatican has attempted to put an end to speculation that ill health may force Pope John Paul II to resign, calling such conjecture "shaky and indelicate." Observers at the October celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of John Paul II's election as pope were struck by signs of the pontiff's failing health, including Iris inability on two occasions to read a single word of his homily.

However, the semiofficial Vatican newspaper, L' Osservatore Romano, on October 22 rejected mainstream news accounts about the situation as "shaky and indelicate discourses of a pseudo-canonical nature." According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the fact that the Vatican's newspaper published the denial showed that the speculation about a resignation "had touched a raw nerve."

During the celebrations, John Paul himself appeared to rule out resigning and to reaffirm his desire to remain until his death. "Christ, while knowing my human fragility, encourages me to respond with confidence," said the pope at a mass October 16. "And he invites me to assume the responsibilities that he himself has given me."

Speculation about a papal resignation was fed in part by remarks by Vatican-based Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Maria Mejia, who told Argentina's La Nacion newspaper that the pope would abdicate his position if he could no longer speak. "A person who cannot speak cannot celebrate a mass," the cardinal said to the interview, published October 16.

High points of the October 16-22 silver jubilee celebrations included the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the creation of 31 new cardinals. The pope presented a golden ring to the new cardinals as a sign of their communion with the papacy.

--ENI