It doesn't mean he's not stable--in that his condition is unchanged--but at his age and his weakened condition, this isn't good. What concerned me was his extreme weight loss--41 lbs in 5 weeks--along with a UTI. I'd like to know exactly what they mean by 'cardio-vascular collapse.'
I think it means low blood pressure.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1375213/posts
'Serious' Pope has heart failure
"Pope John Paul II has suffered a cardiac arrest and is in a grave condition, the Vatican has announced.
The urgent communique came hours after the Pope's health worsened with a high fever caused by an infection. "
I don't know the timing of all these reports but it is apparent he is definitely a very ill man..very ill indeed.