1.   Warned against offending the power of the pope, Stalin cynically asked how many military divisions the pontiff had at his command.

2.   Limping, the pontiff had to be assisted up the stairs of the outdoor altar.

3.   Rabbi Pinchas Menachem Joskowicz made the request during a series of brief meetings the Polish-born pontiff had with religious leaders after speaking in parliament.

4.   The pontiff has familiarity with specialists from that field.

5.   That, diplomats here said, could cast a shadow on the entire trip, as the pontiff has had a series of medical problems.

6.   The pontiff had yet to comment on the passing of the referendum in Ireland held on Friday.