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Skriven 2005-04-02 08:35:46 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               VIS-Press releases

HOLY FATHER'S HEALTH CONDITION REMAINS "VERY SERIOUS"

VATICAN CITY, APR 2, 2005 (VIS) - At 11:30 this morning, Holy See Press Office
Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, held a briefing for accredited journalists in
the press office to give them an update on the condition of the Holy Father
John Paul II.

Following is the text read by Dr. Navarro-Valls:

"The following information is an update as of 9 this morning:

"The general, cardio-respiratory and metabolic conditions of the Holy Father
are substantially unchanged and therefore are very serious.

"As of dawn this morning, the start of a compromised state of consciousness was
observed.

"This morning at 7:30 Mass was celebrated in the presence of the Pope.

"Last evening the Pope probably had in mind the young people whom he has met
throughout the world during his pontificate. In fact, he seemed to be referring
to them when, in his words, and repeated several times, he seemed to have said
the following sentence: 'I have looked for you. Now you have come to me. And I
thank you'."

Asked when the next bulletin could be expected, he said that he usually goes to
the papal apartments at 5 or 5:30 in the afternoon, and indicated an update
could be expected following that visit.

The press office director, asked about the Pope's state of awareness during
Mass, repeated what was he said in the bulletin, namely, that "the start of a
compromised state of consciousness was been observed, starting at dawn." He
added that, "this does not mean absolutely, technically speaking, that one can
speak of a state of coma. When people talk, he opens his eyes and is conscious,
at times he seems to be sleeping. When he is spoken to, he does react. The
bulletin does not use the expression 'coma' or being in a state of coma."

Asked who is in the Holy Father's room with him, Navarro-Valls said "I can only
tell who was there this morning when I visited the Pope: his personal
secretary, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, his other private secretary, three of
the sisters that run the household, and his physician Dr. Buzzonetti. I can't
say, however, that this is the standard number of people in the room. There
will on occasion be the other doctors treating him, for example."

At 6:30 yesterday afternoon, 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 visible participation - entrusts himself to the
continual prayers of those assisting him."
OP/POPE:HEALTH/NAVARRO-VALLSVIS 050402 (480)

SUMMARY

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