Rome - The Vatican yesterday sought to quash speculation by a leading cardinal that Pope John Paul II may retire after the end of this year.
The Vatican issued a terse statement in response to reports based on a newly-published book by Cardinal Godfried Danneels of Brussels who was quoted as saying he would not be surprised if the Pope opted to retire next year.
"This is a personal opinion of Cardinal Danneels which finds no confirmation [in the Vatican]", the chief Vatican spokesman, Dr Joaquin Navarro-Valls, said. Cardinal Danneels, who is considered a possible successor to Pope John Paul (80), is scheduled to hold a news conference about his book on Monday.