‘The Rome diocese has officially opened the procedure that could lead to sainthood for Pope John Paul II, asking Catholics to come forward with evidence “in favour or against” his reputation of holiness.
An edict published at the weekend marked the start of a procedure that could lead to John Paul, who died last month, being […]
‘The former chief rabbi of Rome, Elio Toaff, believes that Pope John Paul II ushered in a new era in Jewish-Christian relations.
In a May 10 interview with Vatican Radio, Rabbi Toaff said that in the past, “great misunderstandings” marred relations between Christians and Jews. “But today, I can say, that is almost completely in the […]
‘China, whose Communist rulers do not allow its Catholics to recognize the Vatican’s authority, expressed concern about Pope John Paul II as he slipped toward death.
“We have noticed reports on the health of the Pope,” a Foreign Ministry spokesman told Reuters by telephone. “China expresses its concern and hopes the pope can get meticulous medical […]
‘The bronze door off St. Peter’s Square reopened early Saturday to allow the faithful to morning Mass - one sign among many that Pope John Paul II was still alive.
Over the centuries, the most traditional and telling signal that a pope has died has been the tolling of the Vatican’s bells, which prompts churches across […]
‘Shortly after 11.30 am Saturday, Holy See spokesman Joaquin Navarro Valls, delivered a long awaited update on the current condition of Pope John Paul.
The world had been waiting, worrying and praying since the last official statement, which was issued the evening before and said the Pope was in a “serious but stable situation”.
Navarro-valls said theinformation […]
‘Pope John Paul’s rapid physical deterioration - heart and kidney failure, shortness of breath, overwhelming fever and septic shock - represents a set of multi-organ failures that commonly occur in chronically ill older patients at the time of death, according to medical experts.
“There are a lot of different medical crises going on at once,” said […]
VATICAN RADIO reports:
‘POPE JOHN PAUL REMAINS IN A SERIOUS BUT STABLE CONDITION IN HIS PRIVATE APARTMENT IN THE APOSTOLIC PALACE.
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON THE POPE SUFFERED A STATE OF SEPTIC SHOCK AND CARDIO-CIRCULATORY COLLAPSE, AFTER DEVELOPING A URINARY INFECTION.’
Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following statement to journalists:
The general conditions and cardio-respiratory conditions of the Holy Father have further worsened.
A gradual worsening of arterial hypotension has been noted, and breathing has become shallow.
The clinical picture indicates cardio-circulatory and renal insufficiency. The biological parameters are notably compromised.
The Holy Father - with […]
‘From blue-collar workers in Poland to monks in the Norwegian Arctic to Muslims in France, people around the world are praying today for the health of Pope John Paul.
In Wadowice (vah-duh-VEET’-seh), the southern Polish town where the pope grew up, people skipped school and work to pray in the town’s church.
Sympathy crossed religious boundaries for […]
‘The decision by Pope John Paul II to remain at the Vatican rather than return to the hospital put him at a crossroads reached by many critically ill patients: whether to spend their remaining time on their own terms or allow full-scale medical intervention.
The pontiff was “informed of the gravity of his situation” and decided […]
‘On his death bed, only one item remains on the pope’s schedule, Austin Bishop Gregory Aymond said.
When his serious illness began, the Pope John Paul’s schedule was cleared except for World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, in August.
His death seems all but eminent, but this pope who loved children and who was adored by teens […]
‘Fox News Channel erroneously reported the death of Pope John Paul II on Friday afternoon, backpedaled several minutes later, then apologized to viewers for the mistake.
Television networks were marshaling resources and dealing with conflicting reports as the pope’s illness took a turn for the worse Friday, maintaining an electronic vigil like the Roman Catholic faithful […]
‘Pope John Paul II was near death Saturday, his breathing shallow and his heart and kidneys failing, the Vatican said. Millions of faithful around the world knelt, crawled on their knees, bowed their heads and lit candles to pray for the 84-year-old pontiff. “This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the pope,” […]
‘Pope John Paul II was conscious but in “very grave” condition Friday after suffering heart failure during treatment for a urinary tract infection, his spokesman said, struggling with emotion.
Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters the pope, who was being treated at the Vatican, was “informed of the gravity of his situation” and decided to remain in his […]