Posted on 04/02/2005 11:57:08 AM PST by CitizenM
Edited on 04/03/2005 6:40:57 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
(Saturday) Vatican City, Rome Italy - The official Vatican announcement by Cardinal Ruini, is expected momentarily. Media is standing by as we watch and wait.
Synopsis of the Worldwide Two Day Vigil: "The Pilgrim Pope" - Since Thursday, March 31 and the announcement of the Popes critical condition, high fever, and urinary tract infection, and subsequent septic shock there has been a constant vigil of the faithful while media coverage has been continually providing updates along with stories, and historical information on this holiest of holy men. Early in the afternoon of Friday, April 1, international media and the people throughout the world were sent into frenzy that began immediately after the noontime Mass (where special prayers had just been offered for The Pontiffs health and peace). While Mass was still being held, word somehow spread that the Pope had lost consciousness; and then the announcement that he had also suffered kidney failure. Shortly, a (false) broadcast on networks every proclaimed that The Pontiff had died. The world held its breath and waited for the official notification, while all over the mourning began, and people dropped to their knees in St. Peter's Square. People stopped working, televisions and radio commentators spoke in solemn tones. But, no "official word came and well over fifteen minutes had passed. Finally a Vatican spokesperson announced that the Holy See was, indeed, still alive! Contrary to all announcements, his heart was beating and his brain was still functioning. Hours passed, and no news of any change in the Pope's condition was presented while people continued to pray and wonder. It was being assumed that the many procedures and preparations were being made within the Vatican. In the streets of Vatican City people noted the obvious security measures taking place: more barricades were erected, and more significant crowd control procedures were implemented in preparation for the expected rise in the vigilant. An additional number of streets were closed to motor traffic; a number of ambulances were placed on the immediate grounds for any required emergency assistance for the people. At approximately 5:00 p.m. (US EST) another announcement was made that John Paul, II was conscious and had never lost consciousness. Sorrowful, vigilant crowds have filled St. Peter Square rising to about 70,000 during the day Thursday. During that time hymns rang out spontaneously and a Rosary Ceremony was held. Churches filled with the prayerful around the world. In Poland, especially, people gathered in the streets and outside the building in Krakow where the Pope stayed when he visited what he always called home. Luminary candles were placed all over the grounds. Pilgrimages from all over Europe to Vatican City were announced underway and included Catholics and those of all faiths whose love, respect, and admiration of this Holy man transcends all religious and ethnic lines. The crows are expected to swell to over 100,000 in the Vatican. At 11:00 A.M (Rome time) Saturday, the Vatican , spokesman, Navarro-Fellas, made a statement that the Pope's condition remained very grave but basically unchanged. He was not in a coma, although there had been periods of unconsciousness ( medical commentators told us that was most likely due to the toxins that built up in his system). However, he would awaken and even interact and be alert. The spokesman related the Pope's love of the children. Note: He was so loved by them they nicknamed him Papa, and JPII.. A huge World Youth Day has been in the planning for years and was scheduled for Aug. 20, 2005, Cologne, Germany.( Message of the Holy Father To the Youth of the world on the Occasion of the 20th World Youth Day ) Navarro-Fellas related how the Holy Father had been told that mostly young people had been vigilant in the square the night before. That seemed to please him and he spoke, difficult to understand, but he said:
Kate
Let the liberal press clamor all they want, because the papal electors will be in conclave and will be out of reach of them
I have a feeling that your collage will be circling the globe many times in the next few days.
Terrific work.
Pope John Paul II is pictured praying in Saint John of Laterano Basilica, where he celebrated a mass and headed a procession through Rome to celebrate the Roman Catholic feast of Corpus Domini, in this June 19, 2003 file photo.
Wonderful! Thank you.
A prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide the conclave in choosing John Paul's successor would be in order.
I will check with her and Freepmail you. But, one thing for sure. "Be Not Afraid" is a good start. It was the first thing PJPII said when he gave his first speech after being elected. It is simple.
And you might tell them the children called him "Papa" and "JPII."
I saw some T-shirts on line and if I can find a pic I will send it to you or the link, Freepmail, too.
FYI. I also found it on WinMX, by searching for "Be Not Afraid" the "Artist" is labeled "Catholic Hymn". :)
Thank you.
Nah. The world mourns. I'm not even Catholic, and I even felt a sense of loss.
I have been thinking the same thing all evening. What a feast must be taking place up there as we speak.
Tell them about the millions of young people that he went around the world to see, and that some of his last words were to the young people who were praying for him in St Peter's Square.
Yeah, I know that 'young' means something different to a 4th grader than 'old folks' approaching 20, but maybe you can use the idea anyway.
EWTN has been carrying extensive John Paul II remembrance programming all afternoon and evening that I've found quite interesting to watch.
That particular picture, out of all of them, is evidence that Christ lived in and through this man.
So true.
That is too bad. I opined early on today that Chris Matthews would probably be OK covering this and then shortly after I heard him work in the word "neo-con" (I think he was saying how the Pope wasn't one but how he thought that was appropriate took my breath away) and after that I have surfed right on if I happen on MSNBC and he's talking.
I heard that the Turk who tried to kill JPII has been walking with the Lord ever since John Paul II sat down with the gunman and told the gunman he was forgiven.
I agree. I found Chris Matthews' coverage to be absolutely repugnant. He spent 10 minutes arguing with Pat Buchanan that homosexuality is not a sin, and saying that JPII was in the wrong to condemn homosexuality as a sin. I sat in front of the TV screaming back to Chris to tell me where in the Bible it says what he believes. I know it's not in the Bible, and that's my point.
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