Pope’s spirits revive after Lourdes trip

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.

“I give thanks to God who in his benevolence allowed me to go on the pilgrimage to Lourdes,” the pontiff told the faithful gathered at his summer residence in Castelgandolfo for his weekly audience.

At Lourdes, the 84-year-old Pope had struggled to finish his sermon, at one point softly muttering in Polish: “Help me”. An aide then took him some water.