Text 422, 123 rader
Skriven 2005-04-01 14:20:43 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45.1)
Ärende: Following the developments.
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Hello All.

From MSNBC.  All rights reserved by that organisation.

John Paul II's condition worsens
MSNBC staff and news service reports
Updated: 2:53 p.m. ET April 1, 2005

 VATICAN DENIAL |  1:55 p.m. ET

The Vatican denies reports that Pope John Paul II has died.

 PRAYERS AROUND THE WORLD | 1:08 p.m. ET

Millions around the world are praying for the pope.

In Wadowice, Poland, people are leaving school and work early and heading
to church to pray for their native son. "I want him to hold on, but it
is all in God's hands now," says 64-year-old Elzbieta Galuszko at the
church where the pope was baptized in Wadowice, southern Poland. "We can
only pray for him so he can pull through these difficult moments."

In the Philippines, a crying Linda Nicol says she and her husband are
asking God to grant John Paul "a longer life." Muslims in France are
praying for the pontiff because he is a "man of peace," says Dalil
Boubakeur, president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith.

 BUSH PRAYING | 1:03 p.m. ET

Spokesman Scott McClellan says the White House is in close contact with
the Vatican about the pope's failing health and President Bush is
praying for him. Chief of Staff Andrew Card is keeping Bush up to date
on the pope's condition.

"The president and Mrs. Bush join people all across the world who are
praying for the Holy Father. He's in our thoughts and prayers,"
McClellan tells reporters.

"The outpouring of love across the world is a testimony to the greatness
of the pope. The pope is an inspiration to millions of Americans and
people all over the world for his great moral leadership," McClellan
says.

 POPE UNCONSCIOUS? | 12:46 p.m. ET

Italy's APCom news agency, without citing sources, is reporting that the
pope is unconscious. Vatican officials are not immediately available for
comment. Earlier, the Vatican had denied another report by the same
agency that claimed the pontiff had slipped into a coma.

 POPE OPENED EYES EARLIER | 12:23 p.m. ET

Among the top church officials gathering at the pope's bedside today is
Cardinal Marcio Francesco Pompedda, a high-ranking Vatican
administrator, who says the pope opened his eyes and smiled.

"I understood he recognized me. It was a wonderful smile -- I'll
remember it forever. It was a benevolent smile -- a father-like smile,"
Pompedda tells RAI television. "I also noticed that he wanted to tell me
something but he could not. ... But what impressed me very much was his
expression of serenity."

 HOPE FADING? | 12:21 p.m. ET

Ansa News Agency is reporting that medical sources are saying there is
no more hope for the pope.

 BUSH IN WHITE HOUSE | 12:09 p.m. ET

NBC News White House Correspondent Norah O'Donnell reports President
Bush is in the Oval Office monitoring the pope situation with his senior
staff.

 MEDICAL UPDATE | 12:04 p.m. ET

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls just released the following
medical bulletin:

"The general conditions and cardiocirculatory 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 cardiocirculatory and renal insufficiency.

"The biological parameters are notably compromised. The Holy Father -
with visible participation - is joining in the continual prayers of
those assisting him."

 'SHALLOW' BREATHING | 11:59 a.m. ET

The Vatican issues a statement saying the pope's condition has
worsened. His breathing "has become shallow" and his kidney function
is deteriorating.

 'VERY GRAVE' | 11:30 a.m. ET

"Yesterday afternoon ... following a urinary infection, a state of
septic shock and cardio-circulatory collapse set in," a Vatican
statement says. "This morning, the Holy Father's health condition is
very grave."

 PRAYING FOR THE POPE | 11:15 a.m. ET

Hundreds of anxious faithful gather outside St. Peter's Basilica in
silent prayer as news spreads the pope's health has abruptly
deteriorated. Poles stream into churches to pray for the pope, their
revered countryman who appears on threshold of death. Millions of
Roman Catholics in Asia pack churches and hold vigils.

 CONSCIOUS AND STABLE | 11:00 a.m. ET

Pope John Paul is conscious and his condition is stable, but his
blood pressure is unstable and he continues to have breathing
problems.

The Vatican dismisses as "rubbish" Italian media reports that Pope
John Paul has slipped into a coma. NBC News, The Associated Press
and Reuters contributed to this report.

Best regards,
Marc

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