Vatican City
The Vatican this week publicly acknowledged for the first time that Pope John Paul II has Parkinson’s disease, as observers long suspected. The confirmation came as the pontiff celebrated his 83rd birthday. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re said prayer had kept the pope going since he was diagnosed with the degenerative neurological disorder years ago. “He puts himself in the hands of God,” Re said. The pope marked his birthday by presiding over a Mass in St. Peter’s Square in which he elevated two Poles and two Italians to sainthood. Sitting in a hydraulic chair that allowed him to say Mass while seated, he spoke in a strong voice during the two-hour service, appearing more fit than he had in years.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 18, 2024Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - impeachment Peanuts, record-breaking temperatures, and more
-
Pros and cons of solar energyPros and cons Solar power could become the primary source of electricity worldwide by 2050 – but there are still clouds in the forecast
-
Post Office's Capture software to be reviewed over 'glitches'Speed Read Solicitor representing accused postmasters says flaws in the IT system follow 'very similar pattern' to Horizon
