Frail Pope falters at start of Slovakia trip

An exceptionally fatigued and trembling Pope John Paul began a four-day trip to Slovakia yesterday but was so weak he could not complete either of his addresses.

The 83-year-Pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and knee and hip ailments, appeared the weakest he has in months on the first day of his trip but the Vatican said the visit, his 102nd outside Italy, would go on.

The pontiff, who marks the 25th anniversary of his election next month, seemed short of breath at all of his public appearances and aides looked particularly worried at times.

At a brief airport ceremony, the pope had difficulty getting through a one-page speech in Slovak, a language close to his native Polish and which he has read easily in the past.