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.
If anyone left, you cannot tell it from the pictures of St. Peter's Square. It is packed with people.
Update ping.
Looks to me like more folks have come to Saint Peter's
Square, than have left.
If it be the Lord's will to take John Paul II today...of course He could have other things in mind, we can pray...
I was trying to figure out what it would be like to be in that crowd. Somehow I think it would a very peaceful experience.
I know the feeling. I am listening to Christine Amanpour relating her experiences in covering the Pope and she is extremely interesting and speaking with emotion about the Pope. She has such respect for this Pope. I am officially in shock!
They are saying the crowd is silent now. I cannot fathom what it must be like to be in the crowd as they keep the vigil for the Pope.
"She has such respect for this Pope."
Yes. He is/was such an amazing person, respect for him transcends politics.
"I am officially in shock!"
I agree--I never thought I'd see the day when I'd enjoy listening to Judy and Christiane have a discussion, LOL!
It's beautiful. I hope His Holiness is aware of their presence and is comfortable, not in pain. I have this sense that he'd be smiling about something funny with his closest associates if he is not in pain nor very weak.
well, we had that mistake out earlier by some news sources and Foxnews was one of them.
I hope that is not significant. Meditation, prayers, rosaries being said, awesome moments.
She's super cute, though.
She said people are very quiet for having this many people in the Square. The reporter from the Vatican has been there for the last two Popes who died as well. No wonder he has so much information.
I'm a female - LOL I prefer the men newscasters (but alas there aren't any real good looking ones) but she is very pretty!
I don't think it will be long now.
Robert Monihan, Editor from Inside the Vatican, is now on CNN. He is very good. Explaining the Pope wanted to go through the Stations of the Cross, then he said he would like to hear Psalm 119, verses 25-32.
I don't think so either. Monihan was talking about how the Pope did not want painkillers so he would be lucid as he went through the stages today and prayed.
25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
In another hour and one half, it'll be April 2nd in Rome.
If he's being called home soon, I pray he makes it to the 2nd.
Oh, talking about identifying with Christ in his passion...no painkillers...just like Jesus refused the gall mixed with wine...
Back...I had gone to church, and said the stations and rosary for the Holy Father...
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