Tired Pope misses speech
14/04/2004 - 10:24:05Pope John Paul II, worn out by a heavy Easter schedule, skipped his major speech at his general audience today on his doctor’s advice, the Vatican said.
The 83-year-old pope presided at the open-air audience in St Peter’s Square and issued greetings in several languages.
But he did not read his opening address on the advice of his personal physician, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said.
The pope has difficulty speaking because of Parkinson’s disease and often skips portions of his speeches, although the Vatican generally does not comment on it.
John Paul appeared in relatively good form and his voice was clear.
He completed a heavy Holy Week schedule that included several Masses, an evening appearance at the Colosseum for a Good Friday procession and an Easter Sunday message.
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