 The Pope has a high fever attributed to an infection of the urinary tract. (Reuters) |
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Vatican says medication stabilising Pope
Pope John Paul II seems to be reacting well to antibiotic treatment and his condition "appears to have been stabilised," the Vatican's official radio said on Friday.
The announcement came as hundreds of faithful, holding candles, praying, and in tears, stood outside the Vatican in the early hours of Friday, many fearing the worst for the Pope.
"The pontiff seems to be reacting well to the antibiotics that he has been administered, and, at the very end of the evening, his condition appears to have stabilised," Vatican radio said in a report posted on its website.
Italian news reports said the 84-year-old pontiff had been given the Sacrament of the Infirm, once known as the last rites, as his health deteriorated late on Thursday.
"The Holy Father was today stricken by a very high fever provoked by what has been ascertained to be an infection of the urinary tract," the Vatican said in a statement.
"An appropriate antibiotic therapy has begun. The clinical situation is being closely watched by the Vatican medical team treating him."
Doctors inserted the feeding tube through the Pope's nose and into his stomach to try to boost his strength and help his recovery.
The Pope also suffers from Parkinson's disease.
Authorities sealed off St Peter's square but pilgrims, tourists and locals gathered in the streets surrounding the Vatican.
A group of eight youngsters stood in silent prayer, while a man kneeled on the ground also praying for John Paul II.
The lights were turned off at 11:30pm local time in the Pope's apartments overlooking St Peter's square and only the lights of the papal infirmary were on in the early hours of Friday.
The Pope has been convalescing from throat surgery for more than a month now and aides said earlier on Thursday he was disappointed by the slow pace of his recovery.
He underwent the tracheotomy on February 24 in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he spent a total of 28 days in two stints in February and March.
He has had a breathing tube in his throat since the February 24 operation.
-AFP/Reuters
