As Pope John Paul II struggles with his second health crisis in a month, he is displaying something not usually associated with the dignity and solemnity of his office : a sense of humor.
“What did they do to me?” was the quip Vatican aides say he scrawled on a piece of paper after he woke up following surgery to ease his breathing problems.
The Vatican has appeared eager to report on John Paul's humorous statements, perhaps as a way to allay concerns about his health or to present the Roman Catholic flock with an example of how to face adversity with grace.