Saturday, January 01, 2011

Papal travel fears revealed

CONCERNS in Rome over Pope John Paul II's heavy travelling schedule surfaced in a series of memos to Dublin from Ireland's embassy in the Vatican.

Documents made available under the 30-year rule highlighted low-key "criticism of the Holy Father's anxiety to travel".

One message reported: "Preparation for these visits is very demanding on the time of a great many officials, to the detriment of routine work.

"There is also the question of the cost of Papal visits. The German bishops have been voicing concern at the very large sums involved in the visit to the Federal Republic."

SIC: II/IE