Posted on 03/31/2005 9:54:01 PM PST by bd476
Edited on 04/02/2005 7:53:51 AM PST by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
From Rome CBS Radio News: (rough transcription of update)
The Vatican has been transparent in allowing news media access to information about Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II is responsible for the change in how the Vatican views the media.
At this time, Pope John Paul II's condition is unchanged.
His heart and kidneys are failing. The Vatican said that this does not suggest that he is suffering.
He has a compromised state of consciousness, yet he is not in a comatose state.
He drifts in and out of consciousness. One Vatican source said that it appeared that the Pope is resting with his eyes shut.
Pope John Paul II has responded by opening his eyes when spoken to. He has also tried to speak in the past few hours.
An Aide assisted Pope John Paul II in writing a message to his beloved staff gathered in the Papal apartment. The Pope asked them not to be sad for him.
____________________
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.
"Following a urinary tract infection, septic shock and a cardiocirculatory collapse occurred," Vatican spokesman Navarro-Valls said in his statement.
The Pope was also given the last rites - the Catholic sacrament for the sick and dying, the spokesman said.
But he said the pontiff remained "conscious, lucid and tranquil".
The emergency department chief at Rome's Gemelli hospital said on Thursday the Pope would not be taken to hospital for the time being.
Some observers said this suggested it meant he was too weak to be moved at all.
Sombre mood
Small groups of faithful gathered at St Peter's Square in Rome to pray for the Pope's speedy recovery.
However, the mood in the Vatican is sombre, the BBC's David Willey in Rome reports.
Prelates are openly expressing pessimism about the possibility of the Pope ever resuming the guidance of his one billion-strong church, our correspondent says.
The pontiff is being fed through a nasal tube to aid his recovery from throat surgery last month.
The Pope had appeared briefly at the window of his Vatican apartment on Easter Sunday to bless the faithful, but was not able to speak.
It was the first time during his 26-year pontificate that the Pope delegated the main Easter ceremonies to his cardinals.
'Lost weight'
On Thursday afternoon, the Pope's temperature soared to 40 degrees C (104F), Italian media reported.
He developed breathing troubles and has difficulty in swallowing as a result of the progress of Parkinson's Disease, an incurable condition from which he has been suffering for nearly a decade.
Since his throat surgery, he has lost about 19 kg (42 lb), Father Hejmo said, which leaves him more vulnerable to infections.
The Pope's private doctor Renato Buzzetti is in charge of his medical treatment in his private apartment at the Vatican.
So far this year the Pope has had two spells in hospital where he received treatment for breathing problems and underwent an operation on his throat.
Judy or Shep? hmmmm.....
Judy wins. I don't believe I'm typing this....
Thank you for the update, bd476
Sad news :0(
Sending Prayers
I recall at least one - the tradition is bittersweet and beautiful.
*She had a son thatr was due*...
You're right.
I was just watching a bit of the Los Angeles special mass ongoing. Pity that Cardinal Mahoney does not enjoy the same sort of good will. I'm not Catholic, so maybe his flock adores him. But the rest of us aren't impressed. That cathedral where he's conducting mass is referred to as the "Taj Mahoney."
I like that CNN has Rome's local time showing at all times. It's really handy.
Agree - right there with you.
In my Hymnal, Hymn 666 is:
Out of the deep I call
to thee, O Lord, to thee.
before thy throne of grace I fall;
be merciful to me.
Out of the deep I cry,
the woeful deep of sin,
of evil done in days gone by,
of evil now within;
Out of the deep of fear
and dread of coming shame;
all night till morning watch is near
I plead the precious Name.
Lord, there is mercy now,
as ever was, with thee.
before thy throne of grace I bow;
be merciful to me.
Words: Henry Williams Baker, 1868
Music: St. Bride
Oh, I was just agreeing with how you feel.
It is a sad day. Keeping busy has helped a little.
Congrats on getting post 666!
>> Cardinal Mahoney<<
The idea that Mahoney's flock adores him is PR only. The conservatives aren't happy with him at all.
Lainie is a good person and has no worries there.
LOL!!! I know the feeling -- I never thought I would see the day that I picked Judy Woodruff over Fox but today is that day. Like you, I cannot believe I typed that.
I know.
I was trying to convey "you're right, I know my thoughts are shared."
I have trashed CNN so much but their coverage won the day for me with all their great guests they have had on and how thoughtful they have been all day. I am amazed.
Please don't miss the beautiful pics, Maggie is posting over here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1375516/posts?page=338#338
Scroll up, scroll down, scroll back, lol... they're plentiful.
I looked back and I thought...boy, why didn't I just say "me too" This Pope has accomplished so much and he has had such dignity and grace.
Yikes! We were praising Jessie Jackson this week and now we are happy with CNN. Very strange indeed!
I am glad you said something because I could not stand Fox one more minute today!
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