Is Pope near end of earthly journey?

An ominous report appeared in the Vatican's Zenit news service two days ago: "Cardinal Ratzinger Urges Prayers for John Paul II, But Vatican Says Pope Still Following His Schedule." Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has told Germany's Bunte magazine: "He is in a bad way. We should pray for the Pope." Indeed. Kyrie eleison.