Bad Knee Forces Pope to Cancel Appearances

Pope John Paul II is scrapping several public appointments over the next two weeks on the advice of his doctors, the Vatican said.

Spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said a painful arthritic knee was forcing the pontiff to cancel his weekly general audience today and parish visits the next two Sundays.

The knee was also cited in last-minute cancellations of parish visits last week and the week before.

The pope, who turns 82 in May, has a grueling schedule of Holy Week ceremonies later this month, culminating with an Easter vigil and Easter Day celebrations.