Old age brings greater need of God's help - Pope

The Pope alluded to his own difficulties with ageing today, saying in a Christmas address that each passing year brings a stronger need for help from God.

The 84-year-old pontiff, who is slowed by Parkinson’s disease and hip and knee pms, spoke to cardinals from his wheeled throne. Short of breath, he handed much of his speech to an aide to read.

Reflecting on the past year, the John Paul thanked Vatican cardinals for their help and affection.

“The passing years make one feel an ever more intense need for help from God and from men,” he said.

Despite his ailments, the pope is keeping to his usual challengig holiday schedule, which includes midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in St Peter’s Basilica.

His Vatican address today, in a marble room decked with Christmas garlands, was an overview of the year’s work.

The pontiff highlighted efforts to promote unity between the various branches of Christianity, especially his attempts to break down barriers with the Orthodox Church. This year, the Vatican returned a Russian icon revered by the country’s Orthodox community, then sent back the relics of two Orthodox saints taken from Constantinople.

John Paul said he hopes such gestures would bring Christian denominations closer together.

“It is urgent to re-establish full communion between Christians,” he said.