Facing his 27th Christmas as pope, a frail Pope John Paul II admitted to senior members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy that age and failing health means he needs more help from them and from God than he used to.
"The passage of years has made ever more clear the need for God's help and the help of man," said the 84-year-old pope as he exchanged Christmas wishes with his cardinals and members of the Roman Curia at the Vatican.
"Thank you for the constant harmony with which you work with me in the service of the universal Church, each one in the fulfillment of the task which it has given him."
The pope, despite his illness and the shortness of breath which has characterised his public appearances, was in relatively good form for the annual ceremony.
He received a special tribute from senior Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who is often referred to as a possible successor to John Paul II.
The prelate highlighted "the patience, generosity and courage" with which the head of the Catholic Church bore his poor health, comparing his stoic bearing of his burden to "the sufferings of Christ".
In his Christmas message to the cardinals, which was read mostly by an aide, John Paul II highlighted the push towards closer Christian unity "which is intensifying on several levels thanks to constant contacts, meetings and initiatives of Christians of different Churches and the Orthodox and Protestant communities".