j.m@talk
04-01-2005, 03:59 PM
JOHN PAUL 'WORSENS'
Pope John Paul II's condition has "worsened" the Vatican said in the latest statement on his health.
The statement said the pope's blood pressure, which was unstable, had worsened, his breathing had become shallow and his kidney function was deteriorating.
The Vatican added that his condition had been "notably compromised".
A flurry fo Italian media reports suggested that the Pope had died, but the Vatican swiftly denied the claims.
Earlier Joaquin Navarro-Valls said he had been "informed of the gravity of his situation" and had decided to stay in his flat overlooking St. Peter's Square.
"The pope is still lucid, fully conscious and extraordinarily serene," he told reporters.
The Vatican also announced the appointment of 17 new bishops and archbishops as well as four Vatican envoys as the pope's condition worsened.
The Vatican dismissed as "rubbish" a report by an Italian news agency that the 84-year-old was in a coma.
"This is absolute rubbish. We are not going to lower ourselves to playing these games," an official said.
In an earlier statement, it said the pontiff's condition was "very grave" and he appeared close to death.
A spokesman confirmed he had received the "Holy Viaticum" - the communion for the dying.
Polish Cardinal Andrzej Deskur, a close friend of the Pope, has been quoted as saying he was "fading serenely".
The earlier Vatican statement said he had been given cardio-respiratory assistance on Thursday and again today.
Nonetheless, he managed to take part in a mass at 6am and was still "conscious, lucid and tranquil".
Pope John Paul's fragile health took a sharp turn for the worse on Thursday evening when he developed a high fever caused by a urinary infection.
After initially responding well to treatment, his condition then deteriorated further, the Vatican said.
It revealed he is being helped by his personal doctor, two intensive care doctors, a cardiologist, an ear, nose and throat specialist, and two nurses.
Early today, hundreds of people gathered outside the Vatican in Rome to keep vigil as concern grew for the Pope's health.
In Poland, John Paul's home country, catholics flocked to church to pray for their beloved son. There have been similar scenes throughout the world.
The latest setback to the Pope's health came just one day after he started feeding through a tube to boost his calorie intake.
His condition worsened when he suffered an alarming drop in blood pressure.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica said John Paul abruptly "turned white as a ghost" as he was sitting in a chair working.
He was taken to hospital twice last month with breathing problems despite an operation earlier in which a tube was inserted in his throat.
The Pope briefly appeared at his studio window in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday and again on Wednesday to bless thousands of pilgrims.
He drew cheers from the gathered audience as he tried to speak to them, but his words were not audible.
It was his last public appearance.
Pope John Paul II's condition has "worsened" the Vatican said in the latest statement on his health.
The statement said the pope's blood pressure, which was unstable, had worsened, his breathing had become shallow and his kidney function was deteriorating.
The Vatican added that his condition had been "notably compromised".
A flurry fo Italian media reports suggested that the Pope had died, but the Vatican swiftly denied the claims.
Earlier Joaquin Navarro-Valls said he had been "informed of the gravity of his situation" and had decided to stay in his flat overlooking St. Peter's Square.
"The pope is still lucid, fully conscious and extraordinarily serene," he told reporters.
The Vatican also announced the appointment of 17 new bishops and archbishops as well as four Vatican envoys as the pope's condition worsened.
The Vatican dismissed as "rubbish" a report by an Italian news agency that the 84-year-old was in a coma.
"This is absolute rubbish. We are not going to lower ourselves to playing these games," an official said.
In an earlier statement, it said the pontiff's condition was "very grave" and he appeared close to death.
A spokesman confirmed he had received the "Holy Viaticum" - the communion for the dying.
Polish Cardinal Andrzej Deskur, a close friend of the Pope, has been quoted as saying he was "fading serenely".
The earlier Vatican statement said he had been given cardio-respiratory assistance on Thursday and again today.
Nonetheless, he managed to take part in a mass at 6am and was still "conscious, lucid and tranquil".
Pope John Paul's fragile health took a sharp turn for the worse on Thursday evening when he developed a high fever caused by a urinary infection.
After initially responding well to treatment, his condition then deteriorated further, the Vatican said.
It revealed he is being helped by his personal doctor, two intensive care doctors, a cardiologist, an ear, nose and throat specialist, and two nurses.
Early today, hundreds of people gathered outside the Vatican in Rome to keep vigil as concern grew for the Pope's health.
In Poland, John Paul's home country, catholics flocked to church to pray for their beloved son. There have been similar scenes throughout the world.
The latest setback to the Pope's health came just one day after he started feeding through a tube to boost his calorie intake.
His condition worsened when he suffered an alarming drop in blood pressure.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica said John Paul abruptly "turned white as a ghost" as he was sitting in a chair working.
He was taken to hospital twice last month with breathing problems despite an operation earlier in which a tube was inserted in his throat.
The Pope briefly appeared at his studio window in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday and again on Wednesday to bless thousands of pilgrims.
He drew cheers from the gathered audience as he tried to speak to them, but his words were not audible.
It was his last public appearance.