Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican, urged Roman Catholics to pray for the Pope yesterday, saying that he was in "a bad way".


The impression was reinforced by Archbishop Philippe Barbarin of Lyon, France, who was appointed a cardinal at the weekend. He said in a radio interview that the Pope was "reaching the end of his road", adding that he was "in really bad shape".

The full story is in the Daily Telegraph here. (The Telegraph does require registration; but at least it's still free. The Irish Times and The Times of London both charge these days. And it's not a nominal fee, either.)