Italian cardinal says pope facing condition with 'intimate serenity'

Published: 2005-04-01

ROME (CNS) -- Italy's president and prime minister joined thousands of Catholics in Rome's cathedral, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, to offer prayers April 1 for Pope John Paul II. "John Paul II is facing the most difficult trial of his long and extraordinary life," said Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the papal vicar for Rome, who had visited the pope that morning. With President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other top politicians present at the Mass, Cardinal Ruini said the pope was facing his worsening condition "with that same intimate serenity and trusting abandonment into the hands of God with which he always lived, worked, suffered and rejoiced." The cardinal said, "In these hours, he is more than ever our pope."

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .