Cheers and tears for ailing Pope

A frail Pope held his weekly general audience yesterday, encouraged by an applauding crowd of 12,000, some crying amid deepening concern over the pontiff's degenerating health.

The 83-year-old, who has Parkinson's disease and had to cancel last week's audience reportedly because of an intestinal ailment, appeared in St Peter's Square in an open "Popemobile", waving to the crowds, reading in multiple languages, and greeting a stream of the faithful.

He appeared alert and read with determination, interrupted only by a few coughs. God willing, he said, he would stick to his plan to visit a shrine in Pompeii next Tuesday.

Next week may be a significant one for him; speculation has grown that he will be awarded the Nobel peace prize.

Although he might appear a strong contender - he found new energy this year to campaign against the conflict in Iraq - traditionally popes do not accept prizes or honours.

Vatican corridors and newspaper columns are buzzing with speculation about his health after his senior aide, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, told German journalists the Pope was "in a bad way".

But yesterday's performance defied the pessimists, as Vatican officials insisted he was firmly on track for upcoming appointments.

The Pope has a big month coming up, the highlight of which will be the 25th anniversary of his election on October 16. This weekend he is to receive a visit from the Archbishop of Canterbury, on Sunday he will hold a triple canonisation ceremony, and on on October 19 he will beatify Mother Teresa.

But whatever his health, church rules do not allow the Holy Father to step down.