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