Vatican City, Oct 24: Pope John Paul II has withdrawn from participating in a mass in St Peter's basilica today on the advice of his doctors who have ordered him to rest, a Vatican source said. The 83-year-old pope was to have presided over a special afternoon mass marking the opening of the academic year in ecclesiastic universities.

The decision not to participate was taken two days ago, the source said. The pontiff appeared visibly exhausted and was barely able to speak at the end of a week-long series of public engagements marking the 25th anniversary of his election.

Bureau Report