Pope facing death with strength, says Archbishop

Pope John Paul is facing his death with extraordinary spiritual strength, the Archbishop of Dublin said tonight.

At a celebratory Mass in the Pro-Cathedral, Diarmuid Martin told the congregation what was happening in the Vatican was very simple.

“A man is patiently facing that great moment of human fragility: his own death. And he is facing it with extraordinary spiritual strength, deep faith in God and dignity,” he said.

The Pro-Cathedral was packed with people saying prayers, with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern among them.

Archbishop Martin expressed his appreciation to President Mary McAleese, who was represented by Captain Lorraine Fahy and the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr John Neil, who was represented by Archdeacon David Pierpoint.

He said the congregation was joining with Christians all around the world to pray, as the seriousness of the Pope’s condition became apparent.

“Pope John Paul, as successor of Peter, is truly a rock, a rock who even in his suffering continues to strengthen the faith of his brethren, and touches the hearts many, even those who did not share his Christian faith.”

Archbishop Martin said the Pope had shown dynamism during his 26-year as head of the Catholic Church but had been struck by series of illnesses which had affected first his movement and then his ability to speak.

“But there was no holding him back in his ministry, even until Wednesday last when against all advice he appeared at his window so as not to leave disappointed a large group of young people gathered in Saint Peter’s Square.”