Updates on the Pope's Health

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POPE: GENERAL CONDITION GOOD, IS DOING BREATHING EXERCISES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 28, 2005 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls today transmitted to journalists the following medical bulletin on the Pope's health:

"The Holy Father's post-operative phase is taking place without complications. His general condition and biological parameters continue to be good. The Holy Father is eating regularly, spends some hours in an armchair and has begun exercises to rehabilitate breathing and phonation."


POPE WAVES TO, BLESSES FAITHFUL FROM HOSPITAL ROOM WINDOW

VATICAN CITY, FEB 27, 2005 (VIS) - Shortly after the Angelus prayer recited in St. Peter's Square yesterday by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute of the Secretariat of State, Pope John Paul appeared unannounced at the window of his hospital room, and waved to and blessed the crowd that had gathered at Gemelli Polyclinic. This was the first time in more than 26 years of pontificate that the Holy Father did not personally recite the Angelus.

As the Pope was ordered by his doctors not to talk for several days, Archbishop Sandri led the Marian prayer, read the Pope's customary Sunday reflections and, in the Pope's name, imparted the apostolic blessing. Photos taken by the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano photographer were released that showed John Paul II, surrounded by doctors and several collaborators, as he followed the Angelus on television in his hospital suite.

"Once again, dear brothers and sisters," said the Pope's message, "I address you from Agostino Gemelli hospital. I thank you affectionately and I feel your spiritual closeness. I am thinking of all of you gathered in St. Peter's Square, both individuals and groups, and of those from around the world who have expressed interest in me. I ask you to continue to be with me, especially with your prayers.

"The penitential climate of Lent, which we are now living, helps us to better understand the value of suffering that in one way or another, touches all of us. It is in looking at Christ and following Him with patient trust that we are able to understand how every human form of pain has within it the divine promise of salvation and joy. I would like this message of comfort and hope to reach everyone, especially those who are going through difficult moments, those who suffer in body and spirit.

"To Mary, Mother of the Church, I renew my entrustment: 'Totus tuus'. May she help us in every moment of life to fulfill God's holy will. May my paternal blessing reach everyone."

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FRESH FEARS OVER POPE’S HEALTH
23.3.2005. 10:17:21

Doctors in Rome say Pope John Paul II is not expected to return to hospital soon, despite speculation his health has worsened, casting a pall over Easter preparations at the Vatican.

"The pope was unwell all day Monday, during the night and again today," a Vatican source said on Tuesday, adding that the tube through which the Pope has breathed since his tracheotomy on February 24 was causing him discomfort.

"As well as that, he is feeding less and less, which is making him anaemic. To compensate for that, he is taking iron (medication), but that is giving him headaches and making him nauseous," the source said.

Professor Rodolfo Proietti, the doctor in charge of the Pope's medical team, said however it was not expected that the 84-year-old pontiff would have to return to hospital soon.

Fears have grown for the Pope after speculation on Monday that he was on his way to hospital for the third time in seven weeks.

The Vatican insisted there were no new developments in his condition, but confirmed he would not hold his weekly general audience on Wednesday.

A Vatican official said the Pope may, however, make his now customary appearance at his apartment window to bless pilgrims in St Peter's Square.

Rumours the ailing pope was battling new breathing problems were fuelled by his last public appearance on Sunday, which failed to reassure pilgrims that his condition was improving.

"The pope's overall condition is more serious today than it was when he was in the Gemelli (clinic)," conservative Rome daily Il Messaggero reported, citing sources at the Holy See.

"Pray for the pope, because he's getting worse," the newspaper quoted the pope's private secretary, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz as telling another Polish priest.

The pope was hospitalised twice last month with acute breathing problems linked to Parkinson's disease and the flu.

He had throat surgery on February 24th to insert a tube into his neck to ease his breathing.

Senior cardinals will stand in for John Paul II the Easter ceremonies, though the Vatican said the pope has insisted on performing his traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing on Easter Sunday, when he normally greets pilgrims in around 60 languages.

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Millions of Christians across the world are observing Good Friday at the start of the Easter weekend when they believe Jesus Christ died and was resurrected.

But ill-health means the Pope, who traditionally conducts Easter ceremonies, will not play a major role.

He appeared via video link at the Way of the Cross procession in Rome, sitting at his chapel in the Vatican.

The vicar of Rome read a message from the Pope, in which he said he was close to those who are tested by suffering.

"I also offer my suffering, so that God's design is completed and his word walks among the people," the message said.

Those taking part in the procession at the Colosseum waved torches and cheered as he appeared.

Acts of penitence

Good Friday has been marked in Asia with re-enactments of the crucifixion and sombre church ceremonies.

Devotees in the Philippines had their hands and feet nailed to large wooden crosses in a traditional imitation of the manner of Jesus' death.

Others marched through the streets whipping themselves with blades and chains in a show of penitence.

"This is just a little pain compared to my sins," Ruben Arriola, a house painter in the Filipino town of San Simon, told the Reuters news agency.

For many Christians, the past few days have been spent meeting relatives, shopping and preparing for the ceremonies this weekend.

'Spiritually present'

Pope John Paul II has made two public appearances since leaving hospital last Sunday following throat surgery.

Recovery from the operation has been slower than expected, and his doctors have advised him not to attend the ceremony for the first time in his 26-year papacy.

A top cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger, told Italian television the Pope, though weakened, remained "lucid".

"And, given the physical trials John Paul II is going through, even this is a gift from God," the cardinal said.

The Pope, who is 84, is still expected to give his traditional Easter Sunday blessing.

He watched Holy Thursday services on television from his apartment.

"With mind and heart I am close to you," he said in a message read out on his behalf by a cardinal at an early evening service at St Peter's Basilica.

"Spiritually present, I pray with you, while with affection I bless all of you."

In another service earlier in the day, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, a senior Vatican official, paid tribute to the pontiff.

"We want to thank him for the witness he continues to give us even through his example of a serene abandonment to God, which he links to the mystery of the Cross," he said.

Orthodox Christians, who follow a different calendar, will celebrate Easter on 1 May.

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Pope John Paul II is expected to sit out Vatican ceremonies for the Easter weekend for the first time in his 26-year papacy.

Cardinals will stand in for the 84-year-old pontiff, who is likely to appear by video link.

He is still expected to give his traditional Easter Sunday blessing.

The Pope left hospital on Sunday, more than two weeks after undergoing throat surgery, but there are reports that his health has deteriorated further.

He has made two brief public appearances since his discharge.

'Spiritually present'

The Pope watched Holy Thursday services on television from his apartment.

We want to thank him for the witness he continues to give us even through his example of a serene abandonment to God
Cardinal Giovanni Batista Re
Senior Vatican official
"With mind and heart I am close to you," he said in a message read out by a cardinal at an early evening service at St Peter's Basilica.

"Spiritually present, I pray with you, while with affection I bless all of you."

In another service earlier in the day, Cardinal Giovanni Batista Re, a senior Vatican official, paid tribute to the pontiff.

"We want to thank him for the witness he continues to give us even through his example of a serene abandonment to God, which he links to the mystery of the Cross," he said.

The Pope is expected to follow Good Friday's Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum by video link.

He gave up carrying the cross several years ago but until last year presided over the evening service which follows the procession.

He will deliver his Urbi et Orbi blessing after his secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, conducts the main mass on Easter Sunday.

Story from BBC NEWS:
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Published: 2005/03/24 19:48:34 GMT

© BBC MMV

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Here are some good shots of the Pope leaving the clinic after his second bout.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4346129.stm

[Tulameen]

Pope John Paul II is being fed through a nasal tube to aid his recovery from illness, the Vatican has revealed.

The Vatican added that the Pope, who silently blessed crowds from his window on Wednesday, was continuing to convalesce "slowly and progressively".

Officials insisted he was "directly following" the activity of the Holy See and the Church.

The 84-year-old pontiff had a tube inserted in his throat to help him breathe last month.

The Vatican statement said that in order "to improve his calorific intake and promote an efficient recovery of his strength, nutrition via the positioning of a nasal-gastric tube has begun".

The thousands waiting in St Peter's Square for the Wednesday audience clapped and cheered when the Pope made his brief appearance.

He made the sign of the Cross with his hand, while the blessings were read out by an aide. A microphone was placed in front of the Pope, but he struggled to speak and it was removed.

Ill health forced the Pope to delegate Easter ceremonies to his cardinals for the first time in his long papacy.
Story from BBC NEWS:
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Published: 2005/03/30 11:46:06 GMT

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Pope John Paul II is suffering from a very high fever caused by a urinary tract infection, the Vatican has said in a statement.

Spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the 84-year-old pontiff was receiving "appropriate antibiotic therapy".

The statement came after Italian media reported his condition was worsening.

The Pope was also given the last rites - the Roman Catholic sacrament reserved for the sick and dying, unconfirmed reports say.

The emergency department chief at Rome's Gemelli hospital said later the Pope would not be taken to hospital for the time being.


The pontiff is being fed through a nasal tube to aid his recovery from throat surgery last month, the Vatican said on Wednesday.

The Pope had appeared briefly at the window of his Vatican apartment on Easter Sunday to bless the faithful, but was not able to speak.

'Lost weight'

Unconfirmed reports say the Pope has lost a lot of weight since his operation.

He developed breathing troubles and has difficulty in swallowing as a result of the progress of Parkinson's Disease, an incurable condition from which he has been suffering for nearly a decade.

The Pope's private doctor Renato Buzzetti is in charge of his medical treatment in his private apartment at the Vatican.

So far this year the Pope has had two spells in hospital where he received treatment for breathing problems and underwent an operation on his throat.

Story from BBC NEWS:
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Published: 2005/03/31 22:05:59 GMT