Pope till 'final breath'
2003-10-18 21:12
Vatican City - Pope John Paul II told cardinals on Saturday that he would continue to lead the world's one billion Catholics, committing himself to the office he accepted 25 years ago "until the final breath".
"Continue to pray for me, so that I can faithfully fulfil my service to the Church for as long as the Lord wishes," the pope said at a Vatican gathering of Catholic hierarchy to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his pontificate.
"The courage to proclaim the Gospel must never fade," said his speech to the gathering of cardinals, archbishops and heads of episcopal conferences.
"Furthermore, it must be our main commitment until the final breath, faced with an ever-renewed dedication," said his address, which had to be finished by an aide.
At a special mass on Thursday to mark his 25 years as pope, the pontiff urged Catholics to pray for the strength to allow him to continue to lead them.
John Paul II, whose failing health because of worsening Parkinson's disease has concerned Church leaders, appeared to be in relatively good form on Saturday but as in recent weeks, he left much of his address to an aide to read.
The audience with the cardinals marked the official end of four days of discussions on his 25-year pontificate, which included debate on the problems facing the 2,000-year old institution. The pontiff was present only the final day.