Pope John Paul given Last Rites

[Aggie87]

...From CNN.com

VATICAN CITY (CNN) -- Pope John Paul II was given the last rites of the Roman Catholic Church late Thursday night as his health deteriorated, a Vatican source has told CNN.

The pope is suffering from a high fever caused by a urinary tract infection, the Vatican confirmed Thursday -- one day after revealing he had been put on a nasal feeding tube for nutrition

The pope is taking antibiotics, a Vatican spokesman said.

Joaquin Navarro-Valls said in a statement released Wednesday: "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 pope underwent a tracheotomy February 24 and still has a tube inserted in his windpipe to help his breathing.

Earlier Wednesday, the pope appeared at his studio window and blessed the thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square.

He appeared alert during the four-minute appearance, which drew cheers from the crowd gathered beneath his window.

He raised his hand in blessing and made the sign of the cross as a Vatican official read greetings and prayers.

A microphone was raised to his face as he tried to speak, but the words were not clear.

The pope has spent a total of 28 days in two stints at Gemelli hospital in Rome in the past two months.

Nicola Cerbino, a spokesman at the hospital, said Wednesday that there was no plan to hospitalize the pope.

On Monday the pope skipped the post-Easter Angelus prayer for the first time in his 26-year papacy.

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 difficult.

Throughout his various illnesses and brushes with death, even after the assassination attempt against him in 1981, the pope always said his life was in God's hands.

[Christiern]

I just hear another extraordinarily stupid question asked by a CNN anchor. She was interviewing a Vatican spokesperson:

"Is the Catholic Church prepared for this Pope to pass away?"

Huh??

[GA Russell]

My aunt, a registered nurse, says that he is not back in the hospital because he is slowly dying.

I would like to point out that nowadays the last rites are given to sick people who are not necessarily on the verge of passing away. My mom was given the last rites I think three times before she died.

The pope has been weak for so long that I think that many people have forgotten how vigorous and athletic he was when he first became pope. He used to go skiing on his vacations, remember?

[undergroundagent]

I just hear another extraordinarily stupid question asked by a CNN anchor. She was interviewing a Vatican spokesperson:

"Is the Catholic Church prepared for this Pope to pass away?"

Huh??

I'm not sure this is such a stupid question when you consider the process involved with appointing a new pope.

[Aggie87]

The updated article at cnn.com also pointed out that that him receiving last rites was not necessarily a sign that he was dying. They also pointed out that the Pope had received last rites after his assassination attempt in '81.

[Christiern]

I just hear another extraordinarily stupid question asked by a CNN anchor. She was interviewing a Vatican spokesperson:

"Is the Catholic Church prepared for this Pope to pass away?"

Huh??

I'm not sure this is such a stupid question when you consider the process involved with appointing a new pope.

When a pope is 86 and ailing--as he has been for a long time--I really don't think it would make sense to wait and see, no matter how complicated these {s}elections are.

Thus, I think this was an exceedingly stupid question.

[Aggie87]

While the process of selecting a new pope may seem secretive or maybe confusing, I would guess it's not complicated, and is well established within the Vatican chambers. I'd bet there are all sorts of politics involved as well.

But I'd also bet they are well prepared. I agree with Chris in that it's a very silly question...

[undergroundagent]

Well, you know...The Vatican has never really been known to do things responsibly. It wouldn't at all surprise me if they adopted a wait-and-see approach with this situation.

[ghost of miles]

I just hear another extraordinarily stupid question asked by a CNN anchor. She was interviewing a Vatican spokesperson:

"Is the Catholic Church prepared for this Pope to pass away?"

Huh??

CNN--Chicken Noodle News.

Yes, he's had a long reign and been quite influential, whatever one thinks of his theology/ideology... but c'mon, news folks, the Catholic Church has, uh...been through this a few times before.

[bertrand]

They're going to elect whatever Pope George Bush tells 'em to elect.

Bertrand.

Edited March 31, 2005 by bertrand

[AfricaBrass]

They're going to elect whatever Pope George Bush tells 'em to elect.

Bertrand.

I just hope they don't use Diebold voting machines...

They'll end up with the Dalai Llama as Pope.

Actually, that might not be a bad idea.

[BERIGAN]

I just hear another extraordinarily stupid question asked by a CNN anchor. She was interviewing a Vatican spokesperson:

"Is the Catholic Church prepared for this Pope to pass away?"

Huh??

I'm not sure this is such a stupid question when you consider the process involved with appointing a new pope.

Well, I'm with Chris this time...he has been quite ill for quite some time, they have to be prepared at this time...

[Claude]

They're going to elect whatever Pope George Bush tells 'em to elect.

Bertrand.

Wolfowitz to the World Bank, Ashcroft to the Vatican

[Randy Twizzle]

In 1979 when the Pope visited Washington DC there was a motorcade through the city. There were a lot of souvenir vendors on the streets and money was rapidly changing hands, which is probably why I found a $20 bill in the middle of a busy sidewalk. It was my own papal miracle. I spent some of it on "Someday My Prince Will Come" and since then I've always associated the Pope with that album.

[JSngry]

c'mon, news folks, the Catholic Church has, uh...been through this a few times before.

ex-ACT-ly!

[PHILLYQ]

I just hear another extraordinarily stupid question asked by a CNN anchor. She was interviewing a Vatican spokesperson:

"Is the Catholic Church prepared for this Pope to pass away?"

Huh??

I'm not sure this is such a stupid question when you consider the process involved with appointing a new pope.

Well, I'm with Chris this time...he has been quite ill for quite some time, they have to be prepared at this time...

There is a well-established process for electing a Pope. first the College of Cardinals waits for the pope to die, then they have an election where one of the cardinals is elected as Pope. Traditionally,if I recall correctly, when the votes are cast, each cardinal places a pellet in a chamber and they are then lit on fire. If there is a 'no' vote by anyone,a black pellet is placed in the chamber and the resulting smoke has some black in it- if the vote is unanimous, the smoke is white and there is a new Pope. The smoke can be seen throughout Vatican City, so it is easy to tell when the new Pope is elected. There's a huge amount of politics involved in trying to sway a faction to support one or another candidate, and I believe that JP2, the present Pope, was a compromise to sway a faction that was tired of a lonnng string of Italian Popes. It will be interesting to see if a conservative Pope such as JP2 is elected, or if a more liberal one is elected, such as the short-lived reign of JP1.

[JSngry]

Isn't it time for Pope George Ringo?

[Randy Twizzle]

One of the few things I remember about the short reign John Paul I is that when news of his death came during a broadcast of a NY Yankee game, announcer Phil Rizzuto said "that's puts a damper even on a Yankee victory."

[Matthew]

I just hear another extraordinarily stupid question asked by a CNN anchor. She was interviewing a Vatican spokesperson:

"Is the Catholic Church prepared for this Pope to pass away?"

Huh??

I'm not sure this is such a stupid question when you consider the process involved with appointing a new pope.

Well, I'm with Chris this time...he has been quite ill for quite some time, they have to be prepared at this time...

In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, pastors have already received packets on what to do upon the death of the Pope. So, yes, we have know for a long time the John Paul II days are numbered.

[ejp626]

I wish it would be a more liberal Pope, since I think most of the good things that came out of Vatican II have been undermined by JP II. But all accounts indicate that over time, JP II has advanced those who share his views and the Archbishops and Cardinals are much more conservative than they were 30 years ago. I think we should expect more of the same.

[PHILLYQ]

One of the few things I remember about the short reign John Paul I is that when news of his death came during a broadcast of a NY Yankee game, announcer Phil Rizzuto said "that's puts a damper even on a Yankee victory."

I'm a Yankee fan in NYC and I heard Rizzuto say stuff like that for years- thanks for posting that, Randy.

[PHILLYQ]

Isn't it time for Pope George Ringo?

Or maybe the first led Zeppellin Pope, John Paul Jones I

[Matthew]

Just to clear up some confusion on terms. In the Catholic Church when a person is seriously ill as is John Paul, the Sacrament they receive is called the Anointing of the Sick. As it says in the instructions:

This sacrament gives the grace of the Holy Spirit to those who are sick: by this grace the whole person is helped and saved, sustained by trust in God, and strengthened against the temptations of the Evil One and against anxiety over death. Thus the sick person is able not only to bear suffering bravely, but also fight against it. A return to physical health may follow the recption of the sacrament if it will be beneficial to the sick person's salvation.

Any person who has a serious illness can receive this sacrament and, to recieve it, does not mean that a person is on death's door. Sometimes this is called the "Last Rites" but truly, it is not.

When a person is close to death, what is called Viaticum is celebrated with the person. This goes by the common name of "Last Rites" and this rite includes confession, a profession of faith, and recieving the Eucharist. This really is a sign that the person acknowledges that death is near. It's too bad the the press reports are not clear which one John Paul received because if it is the Anointing of the Sick, then JP doesn't feel the end is near, but if it's Viaticum, then I would say he has just a couple of days left

[Big Wheel]

Isn't it time for Pope George Ringo?

Or maybe the first led Zeppellin Pope, John Paul Jones I

I think I agree with George Carlin on this one: It's time for a Pope Corky. Pope Corky IX. "I think they'd have to skip straight to nine to give him a little credibility, don't you?"

[JSngry]

No disrespect mean by by the George Ringo thing, btw, and hopefully none taken.

Just another example of how BeatleMania scarred the minds of a generation and all...