Pope John Paul II in grave condition (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Bjerknes
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Pope John Paul II's poor health has become even worse, the Vatican said.
His breathing is shallow, his blood pressure is low and he is having difficulties with both his heart and his kidneys, a spokesman said.
Millions of Catholics around the world have been praying for the Pope, and a special Mass was held for him in Rome where crowds are maintaining a vigil.
The Vatican made three statements in one day and seems to be preparing Catholics to expect the worst.
Cardinals - who will elect a new pope after John Paul dies - are arriving in Rome from all over the world, the Italian media have reported.
The Pope's vicar general of Rome said the pontiff was already "at one" with Jesus Christ.
He "already sees and touches the Lord," Cardinal Camillo Ruini told a packed Mass in Rome's St John Lateran cathedral.
Another senior clergyman, Angelo Comastri, told about 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square: "This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the Pope."
He later denied reports in the Italian media that the Pope had died.
Sacrament given
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said on Friday evening that the Pope's overall condition had been "notably compromised".
But he added that the Pope was visibly participating in prayers around his sickbed.
The Pope's condition deteriorated on Thursday after he developed a urinary tract infection that later brought on "septic shock and a cardio-circulatory collapse".
He was given the Catholic sacrament for the sick and dying - called the Anointing of the Sick.
But the Pope decided not to return to Rome's Gemelli hospital.
He was being treated in his apartment by a team of four top consultants and his private doctor Renato Buzzonetti.
Homeland homage
Catholics around the world have been praying for the Pope.
In the Pope's homeland, Poland, churches have been packed with worshippers throughout the day.
The Archbishop of Krakow, Franciszek Macharski - a long-time friend of the Pope - told his audience: "Do not feel shame at showing your emotion and at shedding tears."
More than 20,000 Brazilians gathered for a Mass in Sao Paulo, in what the city's archbishop described as an expression of love.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4402323.stm
His breathing is shallow, his blood pressure is low and he is having difficulties with both his heart and his kidneys, a spokesman said.
Millions of Catholics around the world have been praying for the Pope, and a special Mass was held for him in Rome where crowds are maintaining a vigil.
The Vatican made three statements in one day and seems to be preparing Catholics to expect the worst.
Cardinals - who will elect a new pope after John Paul dies - are arriving in Rome from all over the world, the Italian media have reported.
The Pope's vicar general of Rome said the pontiff was already "at one" with Jesus Christ.
He "already sees and touches the Lord," Cardinal Camillo Ruini told a packed Mass in Rome's St John Lateran cathedral.
Another senior clergyman, Angelo Comastri, told about 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square: "This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the Pope."
He later denied reports in the Italian media that the Pope had died.
Sacrament given
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said on Friday evening that the Pope's overall condition had been "notably compromised".
But he added that the Pope was visibly participating in prayers around his sickbed.
The Pope's condition deteriorated on Thursday after he developed a urinary tract infection that later brought on "septic shock and a cardio-circulatory collapse".
He was given the Catholic sacrament for the sick and dying - called the Anointing of the Sick.
But the Pope decided not to return to Rome's Gemelli hospital.
He was being treated in his apartment by a team of four top consultants and his private doctor Renato Buzzonetti.
Homeland homage
Catholics around the world have been praying for the Pope.
In the Pope's homeland, Poland, churches have been packed with worshippers throughout the day.
The Archbishop of Krakow, Franciszek Macharski - a long-time friend of the Pope - told his audience: "Do not feel shame at showing your emotion and at shedding tears."
More than 20,000 Brazilians gathered for a Mass in Sao Paulo, in what the city's archbishop described as an expression of love.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4402323.stm
Pope John Paul II's poor health has deteriorated further, the Vatican has said, as Catholics around the world prepare for his approaching death.
His breathing is shallow, his blood pressure is low and he is having difficulties with both his heart and his kidneys, a spokesman said.
Millions around the world have been praying for the Pope, and a special Mass was held in Rome on Friday.
Thousands of people held an evening vigil in St Peter's Square.
Up to 70,000 attended past midnight, but numbers had dwindled to just a few hundred by the early hours.
"Stay with us. Don't leave us," the crowds chanted, many crying uncontrollably.
The Vatican made three statements on Friday, seemingly to prepare Catholics to expect the worst.
Unusually, it kept its press centre open all Friday night, but closed it at 0600 (0400 GMT) on Saturday saying it would reopen at 0900.
Cardinals - who will elect a new pope after John Paul dies - are arriving in Rome from all over the world, the Italian media have reported.
The Pope's vicar general of Rome said the pontiff was already "at one" with Jesus Christ.
He "already sees and touches the Lord," Cardinal Camillo Ruini told a packed Mass in Rome's St John Lateran cathedral.
"I invite all Romans and all Italians to intensify their prayers for him," he said.
"We want to be close to him in this hour through the same loving closeness with which John Paul II has accompanied us for nearly 27 years."
Another senior clergyman, Angelo Comastri, told about 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square: "This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the Pope."
BBC World Report 0800 Nigerian time 2 April 2005
His breathing is shallow, his blood pressure is low and he is having difficulties with both his heart and his kidneys, a spokesman said.
Millions around the world have been praying for the Pope, and a special Mass was held in Rome on Friday.
Thousands of people held an evening vigil in St Peter's Square.
Up to 70,000 attended past midnight, but numbers had dwindled to just a few hundred by the early hours.
"Stay with us. Don't leave us," the crowds chanted, many crying uncontrollably.
The Vatican made three statements on Friday, seemingly to prepare Catholics to expect the worst.
Unusually, it kept its press centre open all Friday night, but closed it at 0600 (0400 GMT) on Saturday saying it would reopen at 0900.
Cardinals - who will elect a new pope after John Paul dies - are arriving in Rome from all over the world, the Italian media have reported.
The Pope's vicar general of Rome said the pontiff was already "at one" with Jesus Christ.
He "already sees and touches the Lord," Cardinal Camillo Ruini told a packed Mass in Rome's St John Lateran cathedral.
"I invite all Romans and all Italians to intensify their prayers for him," he said.
"We want to be close to him in this hour through the same loving closeness with which John Paul II has accompanied us for nearly 27 years."
Another senior clergyman, Angelo Comastri, told about 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square: "This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the Pope."
BBC World Report 0800 Nigerian time 2 April 2005
It was him that didn't want to. He said that jesus didn't come down from the cross, so he would do the same and continue to do his duty. And no one can take that decision for him. In fact, even if he was in coma for years, he would remain the pope and there would be no way to replace him until his death.
Well at the end of the day that depends on your religious beliefs doesn't it. I, being completely non-religious (atheist I believe its called) consider him to be just a normal human being like any other, he has no special meaning for me. I hope he gets better just like I would with anyone else but I really don't see the need for all this fuss over a man who's made a career out of.. well i'd better not go there actually.
You think... maybe you should check first...
I may not be religious anymore... but I grew up in a catholic enviroment attending service every single morning (bar saturdays), I was present when he addressed the UK at wembley in 1982... you dont jus forget that...
Having said that he is a man well passed the average life expectancy for a european, who has suffered illness after illness for many years... So its not a surprise and its clearly his time... At least he will suffer no more.
As for hes jus another old man... Well yes... he is.. he is no more important than the next man... Everybodies chosen calling and life itself are of equal value... Some are jus more obvious than others.If you asked him ,he would say the same... Infact he has.
I may not be religious anymore... but I grew up in a catholic enviroment attending service every single morning (bar saturdays), I was present when he addressed the UK at wembley in 1982... you dont jus forget that...
Having said that he is a man well passed the average life expectancy for a european, who has suffered illness after illness for many years... So its not a surprise and its clearly his time... At least he will suffer no more.
As for hes jus another old man... Well yes... he is.. he is no more important than the next man... Everybodies chosen calling and life itself are of equal value... Some are jus more obvious than others.If you asked him ,he would say the same... Infact he has.