Pope Is Ready to Die, His Former Aide Says

Pope John Paul signaled he is ready to die by choosing not to return to hospital, his former private secretary said on Friday.

"The fact that he has not gone back to hospital is (shows) that he is serenely carrying the cross and ready to give up and to say 'It is finished'," said John Magee, Bishop of Cloyne in Ireland, who worked for the Pope for nine years and was with him during an assassination attempt in 1981.

The 84-year-old Pope appeared close to death on Friday after heart failure and breathing problems although the Vatican said he was still conscious and in a stable but serious condition.

"The only time he told me that he wasn't going to die was immediately after his being shot in 1981 when he turned to me as he was being put into the ambulance ... He said 'John, this is not the death'," Magee told Irish state broadcaster RTE.

The Pope nearly died from wounds to the stomach and hand after a Turkish gunman shot him during a general audience in St. Peter's Square.

In a book published earlier this year, the Pontiff recalled feeling that he was "already on the other side" after the shooting but felt confident he would survive.

The Pope believes divine intervention saved him from death, guiding the bullet that hit him away from his vital organs.

"He's always been ready to die," Magee said.

"Now that he knows that he is coming to the end of his earthly existence he is looking forward to the reward that is certainly his for having been such a faithful servant of the Lord," Magee said.

The bishop, who held the hand of Pope Paul VI as he died, said Pope John Paul would be surrounded by those close to him.

"With John Paul II, I am sure there is somebody there holding his hand, assuring him that we are with him, we are journeyeing with him to that moment when he will see the Risen Lord before him."