VATICAN CITY — The Vatican dropped an afternoon Mass from Pope John Paul
II's schedule Friday to give the frail pontiff more rest after a hectic
week, officials said.
The Mass with university students in St. Peter's Basilica is an annual
event and was confirmed by the Vatican on Tuesday.
But the pope's spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, said it was dropped to
"lighten his schedule after such a busy week."
The 83-year-old pontiff suffers from Parkinson's disease. He presided
over weeklong events to mark his 25th anniversary as pope, concluding
with a Mass on Wednesday with 30 new cardinals installed the day before.
He has been handing over more of his ceremonial duties and, because of
difficulties in speaking, has turned over most his speeches to aides to
read.
Navarro-Valls said the pope will hold his regularly scheduled meetings
on Saturday.
"Almost 90 percent of the activity of the Holy Father these days has
been live on television, so everybody saw him. He was a bit tired
because the schedule was hectic, with many long ceremonies and so on,"
said the spokesman when asked about John Paul's health.
Asked whether the pope was still planning for the future, Navarro-Valls
said, "Absolutely. Absolutely."
The spokesman has said John Paul has a number of invitations for trips
next year, and while he has made no commitments, nothing has been ruled
out.
Asked whether the pope would consider trips to Russia and China, he
said, "There are some difficulties for those two trips, but not because
of the health of the Holy Father. Some other kind of difficulties."
He was referring to political difficulties with the Chinese government
and differences with the Russian Orthodox Church, which has accused the
Vatican of poaching for converts in traditional Orthodox territory.
