Pope praises UN

POPE John Paul II yesterday denounced the “imbalance” between the world’s rich and poor and applauded efforts to eliminate hunger, like the recent UN initiative to increase funds for development.

In his last Sunday appearance this season at his summer palace in the hill town of Castel Gandolfo, the 84-year-old pontiff had to stop for breath every few words as he spoke to a few hundred pilgrims and tourists.

John Paul has Parkinson’s disease, making it difficult for him to walk and to pronounce his words.