Report: Pope suffering from arthrosis

 UPI :  VATICAN CITY, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Vatican insiders say Pope Benedict XVI is suffering from arthrosis, a degenerative disease of the joints.

Andrea Tornielli of Italy's La Stampa newspaper said the arthrosis has affected the 84-year-old pope's knees, hips and ankles, making it hard for him to walk, Britain's Daily Telegraph reported Friday.

However, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the pope is in generally good health for his age.

"He is currently studying the possibility of going to Mexico and Cuba in the spring, which I think is rather more important," he told The Daily Telegraph. "His state of health is fine and he is able to carry out his duties."

Benedict, who suffered a mild stroke in 1991 when he was a cardinal, has said he would step down from his post if he became incapacitated.