Catholics’ thoughts turned to who might replace their beloved pope as the cardinals, silenced by an unprecedented pledge to not reveal their thinking, prepared to meet again today to plan next week’s conclave to select a new leader to replace John Paul II.

CATHOLICISM never looked as universal, the original meaning of ‘catholic’, as it did when it paid final homage yesterday to Pope John Paul, one of the giants of the Church’s 2,000-year history.

A WELL-KNOWN Catholic organisation has given awards to two cardinals and a number of bishops who have gone against the Vatican and agreed people threatened with AIDS can use condoms.

Belgian Cardinal Gustaaf Joos, who derided lesbians and gays as “sexual perverts” died today, local church officials said.

POPE John Paul II, looking healthier than during his weekend pilgrimage to Lourdes and speaking with a clear voice, thanked God yesterday for giving him the strength to visit the French shrine.

THE Pope is “seriously weakened” and may have been making his farewells to life at Lourdes, said a cardinal who accompanied John Paul to the French shrine at the weekend.

The pope is “seriously weakened” and may have been making his farewells at Lourdes, said a cardinal who accompanied John Paul to the French shrine at the weekend.

A possible candidate to be the next pontiff says he thinks Pope John Paul II will "have the courage" to resign if poor health leaves him unable to carry out his ministry.

The pope today defended the Vatican’s practice of consulting with bishops as cardinals ended an extraordinary meeting with some calls for more power-sharing and a frank debate among top officials.