Slovak workers prepare a makeshift altar at the Risorgimento square of the central Slovak town of Banska Bystrica, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003. Pope John Paul II, the most traveled pontiff in history, will arrive in Slovakia Sept. 11.
Pope John Paul II, center, Slovak President Rudolf Schuster, right, and his wife Irena, left, take part in a welcoming ceremony at the Bratislava airport on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003. The pope began his four-day visit to Slovakia.
Pope John Paul II, right, is greeted by Slovak bishops upon his arrival to Bratislava, Slovakia, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003. The Pontiff, 83 and wheelchair-bound with Parkinson's disease and arthritis, is making a four-day visit to Slovakia. Far right is Slovak President Rudolf Schuster.
Pope John Paul II kisses a loaf of bread held by a girl in Slovakian dress as Slovakia's president Rudolf Schuster, left, and his wife, right, look on during a welcome ceremony at Bratislava's airport, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003.
Pope John Paul II sits in front of the painting of the "Madonna of Trnava" , at left, after arriving at the cathedral of St. John of Trnava, some 30 miles from Bratislava, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003.
Pope John Paul II. blesses a disabled person in a wheelchair, right, after a Mass in the St. John the Baptist cathedral in Trnava, western Slovakia, on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003. The Pope is on a four-day visit to Slovakia.
A nun cranes to get a better view of Pope John Paul II during a ceremony inside the Cathedral of St. John of Trnava, some 30 miles, from Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003.
Pope John Paul II gestures as he sits next to Slovakian President Rudolf Schuster, right, during the welcoming ceremony at the airport of Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003. It is the third trip of the 83-year-old pope to Slovakia, where he will stay for a four-day visit.
Pope John Paul II moves in his popemobile as he is on his way to the Residence of the Apostolic Nuncio in Bratislava, Slovakia, Thursday Sept. 11, 2003. On Thursday, the Pope began a grueling four-day visit that is testing his age and ailments. The frail 83-year-old pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and crippling hip and knee ailments, appeared short of breath and read his arrival remarks in a badly slurred voice.
Pope John Paul II arrives at the central square in Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, on Friday, Sept 12, 2003, where he celebrated the first of three public Masses scheduled for his four-day-trip to Slovakia.
Masked special policemen are framed by flags with the colors of the Vatican and a Baroque angel as they man a steeple to watch over security during the visit of Pope John Paul II to the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, on Friday, Sept.12, 2003, on the second day of his four-day-visit to Slovakia.
A little boy gets a good view riding on his father's shoulders over a sea of umbrellas as Pope John Paul II celebrates a Mass on the main square of the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, Friday, Sept.12, 2003, on the second day of his four-day-visit to Slovakia.
A big crowd waves flags with the colors of the Vatican and a big Slovak flag as Pope John Paul II passes through the main square of the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, in his popemobile Friday, Sept.12, 2003, on the second day of his four-day-visit to Slovakia.
A worshipper holds a rosary during an outdoor Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, on Friday, Sept 12, 2003. The Pope is on a four-day visit to Slovakia.
Two eldery Slovak women in traditional dress brave the rain while waiting for the arrival of Pope John Paul II in the town of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, Friday, Sept.12, 2003, on the second day of his four-day-visit to Slovakia.
Pope John Paul II waves as he arrives for a Mass in the main square of Banska Bystrica, central Slovakia, on Friday, Sept 12, 2003. It is the third trip of the 83-year-old pope to Slovakia.