Guatemala Next Stop as Pope Shows Surprising Stamina

GUATEMALA, Jul 29, 02 (CWNews.com) - Pope John Paul II will arrive in Guatemala City on Monday afternoon after the long flight from Toronto.

The Pope is scheduled to arrived in Guatemala at 3 pm local time, after leaving Toronto on Monday morning, the day after the conclusion of World Youth Day ceremonies there. He will be greeted at the airport by President Alfonso Portillo Cabrera, a number of government officials from other Central American countries, and the Catholic bishops of the region.

After the airport ceremony the Holy Father will rest for the remainder of the day. He will then preside on Tuesday morning at the canonization of Blessed Pedro de San Jose de Betancourt. After that ceremony he will travel by plane to Mexico City, where he will stay through Thursday.

Pope John Paul surprised observers with his physical stamina during his stay in Toronto. Although the Pope's schedule has allowed ample time for rest during this trip to the Americas, in recognition of his failing health, John Paul made an effort-- at times despite obvious and painful difficulty-- to walk unaided and to deliver his own public addresses. During many other public appearances this year, the Pope has been forced to have other priests deliver his talks, and to use escalators and other mechanical devices to help him walk.

Earlier this year, Vatican-watchers speculated that the Pope's physical weaknesses would force him to cut short his trip, visiting only Toronto, and omit the planned stops in Guatemala and Mexico. The Pontiff's determination to fulfill his schedule has impressed observers, leading many to note that his continued activity is a tribute to his will-power.