Pope 'losing the Power of Speech'

The Pope will today celebrate a quarter of a century in office amid growing concern that illness could prevent him carrying out his duties.

The 83-year-old pontiff, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and cannot walk, was on good form yesterday at a routine weekly general audience in St Peter's Square. But his most senior advisers admit he could be losing the power of speech.

On Monday he emerged from a meeting with the Uruguayan president, Jorge Batlle Ibáñez, and seemed to want to speak, but did not. He remained silent throughout a photo session.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the leader of the Catholic church in England and Wales, had an audience with the Pope the following day. He said he had been lucid but weak, and was having trouble speaking.

Voicing a thought that has previously been considered taboo, the cardinal said: "If there were total incapacity of the Pope, then I'm sure the cardinals would take advice from each other and talk about the good of the church."

But he added: "I don't think we've arrived at that situation."

However, Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, head of the congregation of the causes of saints, said it did not matter if the Pope could not talk: "Evidently it would have to be evaluated, but it wouldn't be fundamental for his work."

The Pope has a gruelling week ahead with several lengthy ceremonies scheduled, including one next week to create 30 new cardinals.