Check the Pope's Travel Plans

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL, Sept. 15 — Given Pope John Paul Ms visibly failing health — on sad display during his recent trip to Slovakia — observers are asking whether he will continue to travel at all, according to United Press International.

The news service noted that it is still not known whether the Holy Father's visible weakness was a true sign of his health or the result of an incorrect dosage of his Parkinson's Disease medication.

The wire service cited a Vatican “insider,” who suggested: “Watch his travel plans. If the Pope flies to Mongolia with a stopover in Kazan, Russia, then we may have just witnessed the results of faulty medication when he was unable to finish his sermon in Slovakia.”

John Paul hopes to visit Kazan in order to perform a gesture of reconciliation with Eastern Orthodox Christians — to return its cherished icon, “The Mother of God of Kazan,” which currently hangs in his Vatican office. It was rescued from likely Bolshevik destruction, smuggled into the West and later purchased by the Marian group the Blue Army.

The icon is said to have appeared miraculously, according to UPI, and its return to Orthodox hands is meant also to warm their hearts toward Rome.

Lebanese Leader to Meet With John Paul

ASSOCIATED PRESS, Sept. 18 — The speaker of the Lebanese parliament, Nabih Berri, met Sept. 16 with Pope John Paul II, Holy See foreign minister Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran and Italian state leaders, AP reported.

Berri, who serves in the government of Syrian-occupied Lebanon, has been a vocal critic of American policies in the region — including the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Berri has also criticized American calls for Syria to withdraw its 25,000 troops from Lebanon and restore it to full independence.

Papal Condolences for Murdered Swede

VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE, Sept. 12 — Sweden was shocked by the brutal stabbing death of a popular politician Sept. 10.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, wrote to Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson that “Pope John Paul II was saddened to learn of the violent death of Anna Lindh, minister of foreign affairs, and he sends heartfelt condolences to the government, Ms. Lindh's family and the entire nation. Commending the minister's soul to the benevolent mercy of Almighty God, His Holiness invokes the divine gifts of consolation and strength upon all who mourn her passing. … ‘I add the expression of my own personal sympathy on this sad occasion and assure you of my prayers.’”