Messori says John Paul II has no intention of resigning

Rome, Italy, Feb 10, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Catholic journalist Vittorio Messori, who wrote “Crossing the Threshold of Hope” together with Pope John Paul II, told the Italian daily “Corriere della Sera” this week that the Holy Father has “no intention of resigning, no matter how sick he gets.”

“John Paul II’s decision has not changed,” Messori explained, underscoring that during the last Angelus at the Gemelli Hospital, the Pope assured that he would continue serving the Church.

“That statement should be understood as a reaffirmation that, even in his condition, the Church is being governed and will continue to be governed.  And governed by him, not by shadow governments,” he added.

According to Messori, “The Church can never be considered a corporation, and her leader is not a president who must display good health, youthfulness and act like a manager.”

John Paul II’s Christian witness is unequaled, Messori continued, and although his body is ravaged by the effects of Parkinson’s disease, “his spirit continues to be indomitable.”

“He has already made his decision in conscience—we can confirm—and at least for the foreseeable future he will not turn back:  the good of the Church today passes through the Calvary of a vicar who each day bears the cross that Jesus carried all the way to the peak of Golgotha,” Messori concluded.