John Allen joins us from Rome, where he covers the Vatican for the independent National Catholic Reporter.
John, welcome. Bring us up-to-date on the Pope's health. How is he?
JOHN L. ALLEN, Jr. (NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER): I think the bottom line is that he is weakening, obviously, but holding his own. The trembling in his hand, which is the best known characteristic of his illness is getting worse and he is now being moved around inside the Vatican in a large, rolling staircase because he finds walking often too demanding. On the other hand, his vitality continues to astonish all of us. This is a guy who is going to Bulgaria and Canada this year and at Christmas he gave greetings in 60 languages. So, I think the reality is that he is clearly fighting, but there is no sense of crisis.ABERNETHY: There is periodic speculation, as you know, that he might someday resign and retire. Any likelihood of that?
Mr. ALLEN: None, whatsoever, Bob. As you know on New Year's eve, the Pope prayed that God would give him strength to continue as long as God wills, and that picked up on language from six years ago, on the occasion of his 75th birthday, when the Pope said he would leave it in the hands of God how long he would reign. So, I think it's very clear that he has put it on the record that he is not planning to resign. The other point I think that should be made is that in January, the Pope said to some friends at lunch, sort of jokingly, that he hoped he would be able to be Pope as long as Pius IV was, and this was a guy who reigned 32 years. So, while it's in the hands of God what happens, it's clear that John Paul is not getting ready to leave the stage anytime soon.
ABERNETHY: John, to what extent are some of the Pope's duties already being taken over by some of those around him?
Mr. ALLEN: Well, this is the $64,000 question at the Vatican, and the truth is, we just don't know. I have written on this question extensively, interviewed canon lawyers, people in the highest positions at the Vatican. And the reality is the Church law simply makes no provision for a line of succession, and of course, there is no "Vice Pope." And what could happen is that we could get paralysis. That is you could have a diocese, for example, that goes months or even years without a bishop, because no one in the Vatican has the authority to appoint a new one. So, I think a lot of people believe this is a very urgent reform that needs to be carried out.
