Cardinal Adds to Concerns Over Ailing Pope

One of Germany's leading cardinals admitted last night that the Pope is "in a bad way", fuelling speculation that the 83-year-old may have only weeks to live.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, one of the Pope's closest advisers, said the pontiff was seriously ill and added bluntly: "We should pray for the Pope."

The cardinal made his remarks to the German magazine Bunte after the Pope's tour of Slovakia, where he appeared to be visibly fading, but shortly before ill health forced him to cancel an audience last week.

The Pope, who is due to mark 25 years in office this month, is suffering from intestinal cancer, according to Italian press reports, as well as Parkinson's disease.

Cardinal Ratzinger's comments raise concerns that the Pope's fragile health might have deteriorated beyond what has been so far acknowledged by the Vatican.

But last night the Vatican said the Pope would resume his general audience later today.

He will also celebrate a mass on Sunday on the steps of St Peter's Basilica to raise three priests to sainthood, the Vatican added. Canonisation ceremonies usually last around two hours, and the announcement is an indication that the Pope's doctors think he still has the strength for such an appearance.

At the weekend the Pope announced 31 new cardinals to join the ranks of those who will eventually choose his successor.

The cardinals will be formally presented with red hats this month, rather than waiting until February, when their next meeting had been expected.

The closeness of the date has fuelled speculation over the Pope's longevity.

When he announced the cardinals' appointment from St Peter's Square on Sunday, he spoke with great difficulty.

Asked whether the Pope is taking on too much given his state of health Cardinal Ratzinger was quoted in Bunte as saying that "that is very probably the case".

But pressed as to whether he could dissuade the ailing pontiff from loading himself with duties, he added: "That's something other people must do."

There was no further comment yesterday at the Vatican office of Cardinal Ratzinger nor or his aide, Monsignor Georg Gänswein, whom Bunte quoted as saying of the Pope: "He cannot walk and stand any more but for the faithful he is a hero."

In his interview with Bunte, Cardinal Ratzinger went on to apparently rule himself out as a possible successor to the pontiff.

"Oh God, I'm not created for that," he said.