ROZNAVA, Slovakia, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- A frail Pope John Paul II stroked the faces of formerly conjoined 3-year-old twins Saturday to emphasize his opposition to abortion.
Each girl was held above his lap as he sat in a thronelike chair on the altar of an outdoor cathedral, The New York Times reported.
The twins were held as symbols that fetuses with defects could become healthy, joyful people, the Times said.
Slovakian women carrying defective fetuses often undergo abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy. The country has been debating whether such abortions should be made legal. The law allows abortions up to 12 weeks.
Saturday's papal Mass drew tens of thousands of people to a sloping meadow, the Times said.
The pope had trouble getting his words out and there were many long pauses, but he did not look as stricken and pale as he had at the start of the trip.
