The headlines say we should be worried about the Pope's health. Why?

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Dec 19, 2011

This past weekend, dozens of stories appeared in the English-speaking media, reporting that the health of Pope Benedict XVI is slipping. Most of the headlines referred to the same AP report, and the few “independent” accounts seemed obviously prompted by the AP story. Here’s just a quick sampling:

• Pope Benedict XVI's health in serious decline as 85th birthday, Christmas approach (New York Daily News)
• Fears grow over health of frail Pope Benedict (Belfast Telegraph)
• At 84, weakened Pope Benedict is slowing down (Detroit Free Press)
• Pope Benedict XVI Seen As Tired, Weak (Huffington Post)
• Tired Pope heads into busy Christmas season (Newsday)

Just a few weeks ago, on October 24, I asked whether it was Time to start worrying about the Pope's health. I concluded that although the Holy Father is now obviously aging, there is no particular reason for immediate concern. Has anything changed? The short answer: No.

The AP story observed that Pope Benedict has begun using a rolling platform to spare himself the long walk down the aisle of St. Peter’s basilica. That’s true, but it’s not hot news; he began using that platform in October. Informed sources report that the Pontiff has arthritic knees, which ache when he walks long distances. That’s a shame, and the suffering is reason enough to offer a quick prayer for the Pope. But it’s not a cause for panic. You can be a very good Pontiff with very bad knees.

Next AP noted that the Pope has begun scheduling group meetings with the bishops who are in Rome for their ad limina visits, rather than speaking with each prelate individually. Again, that’s old news, which first came out in October.

It’s true that Pope Benedict had a mild stroke some years ago, and it’s true that his older brother has voiced his opinion that Pope Benedict would resign if he became incapacitated. But those facts qualify merely as background information. There’s no evidence of any alarming new medical condition.

Yes, there is evidence that Pope Benedict tires easily. He is now 84 years old—will be 85 in April—and at that age few men can maintain the schedule they once set for themselves. In fact, few men that age can maintain the schedule that the Pope maintains today!

So why the sudden spate of stories about the Pope’s health? The reason, I suspect, is simple. Realizing that millions of people will be turning their attention toward Rome on Christmas Eve, AP provided a “perspective piece,” alerting readers to the likelihood that Pope Benedict will look tired. Then dozens of editors oversold the report—perhaps innocently, in most cases, since they haven’t been following the story until now--with headlines that exaggerated the urgency of the story.

There’s always some reason for concern about the health of a man approaching his 85th birthday. We don’t know how long his strength will hold up. It’s never a bad idea to offer a prayer for the continued health of Pope Benedict. But at the moment, from all the available indications, there’s still no cause for alarm.