edub7383
04-01-2005, 01:20 PM
VATICAN CITY (CNN) -- The Vatican says the general and cardio-respiratory condition of Pope John Paul II "has worsened."
"The general conditions and cardio-respiratory conditions of the Holy Father have further worsened. A gradual worsening arterial hypotension has been noted, and breathing has become shallow," the Vatican press office said.
"The clinical picture indicates cardio-circulatory and renal insufficiency. The biological parameters are notably compromised. The Holy Father, with visible participation, is joining the continual prayers of those assisting him."
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said earlier that the pope was in "very serious condition" Friday afternoon, but he is "lucid, fully conscious" and "very serene."
Navarro-Valls also said earlier that the pope's blood pressure was "unstable" and that he "... asked for the Holy Scriptures to be read to him."
The pope has had a number of visitors Friday, including the Vatican's secretary of state and several cardinals. Navarro-Valls said the pope remembered that today was Friday, the day he traditionally follows the ritual of the Stations of the Cross and he meditated on that ritual.
At 7 p.m. local time Friday, a Mass was being held in honor of the pontiff at St. John Lateran Church, delivered by Camillo Ruini, vicar of Rome.
Italian opposition leader Romano Prodi, Parliament Speaker Pier Ferdinando Casini and Deputy Prime Minister Marco Follini said they would also be among the faithful.
Italians Catholics and the faithful the world over have been asked to intensify their prayers for the Holy Father in light of his declining health.
In another development, the papal press office issued a list of 17 new papal appointments, including bishops and archbishops, and a list of six archbishops who resigned.
The appointments and the resignations were previously approved by the pope, it said.
The announcements may be an attempt by the Vatican press office to indicate that the business of the Vatican continues. And if the list were to be issued, it would have to be issued now, ahead of a papal death.
Earlier, Navarro-Valls said in a written statement that the pope had suffered cardiocirculatory collapse and septic shock.
According to a Web site of the National Institutes of Health, septic shock is "a serious, abnormal condition that occurs when an overwhelming infection leads to low blood pressure and low blood flow.
"Vital organs, such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver may not function properly or may fail. Decreased urine output from kidney failure may be one symptom."
Italian police began closing the streets leading to the Vatican early Friday on expectations that due to the pontiff's grave condition, more pilgrims would come to the area.
Navarro-Valls said the pope is being treated in the Vatican, because it is his desire to remain in his residence and not return to the hospital.
The pontiff even celebrated a Mass early Friday, Navarro-Valls said.
"The pope is being assisted by his personal doctor, Renato Buzzonetti, as well as two intensive care specialists, a cardiologist and an ear, nose and throat specialist, as well as two nurses," the statement said.
Hours earlier, a Vatican official said the pope appeared to be responding well to antibiotic treatment for a urinary tract infection that caused him to develop a high fever.
On Thursday night, as his health deteriorated, the pontiff received the Catholic Church's sacrament Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction -- a ritual of healing, a Vatican source told CNN.
The sacrament is given to patients who are seriously ill in addition to those who are near death. The pope also received the sacrament in 1981, when he was wounded by a would-be assassin.
The news of the pope's worsening condition came two days after the Vatican revealed that he had a feeding tube inserted through his nose to provide more nutrition, as he struggled to recover from a tracheotomy five weeks ago.
The 84-year-old pope suffers from a number of chronic illnesses, including crippling hip and knee ailments and Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that can make breathing and swallowing difficult.
Doctors performed the tracheotomy in early February as John Paul II recovered from a bout of influenza that forced his hospitalization.
Wednesday, during his regular weekly general audience, the pope appeared at the window of his study overlooking St. Peter's Square for about four minutes. Unable to speak, he used hand gestures to bless thousands of people gathered for a glimpse of him.
On Easter Sunday, the pope also tried to speak to the crowds but could not get out the words. Ill health forced him to miss several events during Holy Week preceding Easter. (Full story)
Around the world, Roman Catholics were praying for the pope's recovery. (Full story)
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/01/pope1/index.html
"The general conditions and cardio-respiratory conditions of the Holy Father have further worsened. A gradual worsening arterial hypotension has been noted, and breathing has become shallow," the Vatican press office said.
"The clinical picture indicates cardio-circulatory and renal insufficiency. The biological parameters are notably compromised. The Holy Father, with visible participation, is joining the continual prayers of those assisting him."
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said earlier that the pope was in "very serious condition" Friday afternoon, but he is "lucid, fully conscious" and "very serene."
Navarro-Valls also said earlier that the pope's blood pressure was "unstable" and that he "... asked for the Holy Scriptures to be read to him."
The pope has had a number of visitors Friday, including the Vatican's secretary of state and several cardinals. Navarro-Valls said the pope remembered that today was Friday, the day he traditionally follows the ritual of the Stations of the Cross and he meditated on that ritual.
At 7 p.m. local time Friday, a Mass was being held in honor of the pontiff at St. John Lateran Church, delivered by Camillo Ruini, vicar of Rome.
Italian opposition leader Romano Prodi, Parliament Speaker Pier Ferdinando Casini and Deputy Prime Minister Marco Follini said they would also be among the faithful.
Italians Catholics and the faithful the world over have been asked to intensify their prayers for the Holy Father in light of his declining health.
In another development, the papal press office issued a list of 17 new papal appointments, including bishops and archbishops, and a list of six archbishops who resigned.
The appointments and the resignations were previously approved by the pope, it said.
The announcements may be an attempt by the Vatican press office to indicate that the business of the Vatican continues. And if the list were to be issued, it would have to be issued now, ahead of a papal death.
Earlier, Navarro-Valls said in a written statement that the pope had suffered cardiocirculatory collapse and septic shock.
According to a Web site of the National Institutes of Health, septic shock is "a serious, abnormal condition that occurs when an overwhelming infection leads to low blood pressure and low blood flow.
"Vital organs, such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and liver may not function properly or may fail. Decreased urine output from kidney failure may be one symptom."
Italian police began closing the streets leading to the Vatican early Friday on expectations that due to the pontiff's grave condition, more pilgrims would come to the area.
Navarro-Valls said the pope is being treated in the Vatican, because it is his desire to remain in his residence and not return to the hospital.
The pontiff even celebrated a Mass early Friday, Navarro-Valls said.
"The pope is being assisted by his personal doctor, Renato Buzzonetti, as well as two intensive care specialists, a cardiologist and an ear, nose and throat specialist, as well as two nurses," the statement said.
Hours earlier, a Vatican official said the pope appeared to be responding well to antibiotic treatment for a urinary tract infection that caused him to develop a high fever.
On Thursday night, as his health deteriorated, the pontiff received the Catholic Church's sacrament Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction -- a ritual of healing, a Vatican source told CNN.
The sacrament is given to patients who are seriously ill in addition to those who are near death. The pope also received the sacrament in 1981, when he was wounded by a would-be assassin.
The news of the pope's worsening condition came two days after the Vatican revealed that he had a feeding tube inserted through his nose to provide more nutrition, as he struggled to recover from a tracheotomy five weeks ago.
The 84-year-old pope suffers from a number of chronic illnesses, including crippling hip and knee ailments and Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that can make breathing and swallowing difficult.
Doctors performed the tracheotomy in early February as John Paul II recovered from a bout of influenza that forced his hospitalization.
Wednesday, during his regular weekly general audience, the pope appeared at the window of his study overlooking St. Peter's Square for about four minutes. Unable to speak, he used hand gestures to bless thousands of people gathered for a glimpse of him.
On Easter Sunday, the pope also tried to speak to the crowds but could not get out the words. Ill health forced him to miss several events during Holy Week preceding Easter. (Full story)
Around the world, Roman Catholics were praying for the pope's recovery. (Full story)
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/01/pope1/index.html