Vatican City, Oct 22: A visibly exhausted Pope John Paul II was taking part in a special mass for newly-appointed cardinals today, once again vowing to continue in his post in the face of debilitating disease.
In a homily that had to be read out for him, the pontiff said: "yes Lord, we have trust in you, and with you we will carry along our path in the service of the church and humanity."
The statement was part of the traditional "mass of the rings", normally held in St Peter`s Square but moved inside the Basilica today due to heavy rain.
Held the day after the pontiff created 31 new cardinals, the ceremony includes the presentation of a special ring to each of the prelates.
After a week of intense activity which has also included celebrations for the 25th anniversary of his election to the top job in the Roman Catholic church, as well as the beatification of the late nun Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul looked even more tired than on previous days.
At Wednesday`s ceremony the Pope was able to pronounce only the first few words of the mass, before Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany took over for him.
Bureau Report