Pope Rushed to Hospital

[Arroe]

ROME - Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II was rushed to the hospital Tuesday night after he suffered inflammation of the throat and had difficulty breathing while battling the flu, the Vatican (news - web sites) said.


Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told The Associated Press that the decision to hospitalize the 84-year-old pontiff was "mainly a precaution."


He pointed out that the pope was not in intensive care but in the same 10th floor suite of rooms where he has been during several previous stays at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic, about 2 1/2 miles from the Vatican.


The pope has the flu and acute laryngeal tracheitis, Navarro-Valls said, acknowledging the pontiff had a "certain difficulty in breathing." The spokesman, who has a medical degree, denied Italian news reports that the pope had a CAT scan at the hospital.


Navarro-Valls said more tests will be done and the Vatican would issue a medical report sometime after 9 a.m. (3 a.m. EST) Wednesday. The hospital said the first statement would be from the Vatican. Journalists were being kept out of the facility.


The Vatican said in an earlier statement that the pope suffered from "an acute laryngeal tracheitis and larynx spasm crisis."


Tracheitis, an inflammation of the trachea, requires hospitalization and usually a breathing tube to keep the airway clear. The spasms are likely a complication from the respiratory illness he's had.


It's possible his Parkinson's disease (news - web sites) has made his condition more serious and his breathing more labored.


A Vatican official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the pontiff, who has had the flu since Sunday, had apparently suffered a "breathing crisis."


A close member of the pope's staff, American Archbishop James Harvey, said the pope had congestion and a slight fever during the day.


He said the decision to hospitalize the pope was made by close aides. It apparently took many at the Vatican by surprise and cars with Vatican license plates began pulling up at the hospital only after John Paul arrived.


A State Department official, who asked not to be identified, said the pope would be held overnight for observation but there was no indication he was gravely ill.


It was the same Rome Catholic teaching hospital he was taken to when he was shot in the abdomen in 1981 and at which he has undergone several operations.


Navarro-Valls told the Italian news agency ANSA that the pope was in his room in an apartment set aside for him at the hospital, which is near the Vatican.


The frail pontiff has Parkinson's disease, which makes his speech difficult, as well as chronic hip and knee problems.


He was last seen in public on Sunday, when he made his regular noontime appearance at his window overlooking St. Peter's Square and released a dove in a sign of peace. He appeared remarkably lively, but his words were barely audible.


Until the pope had been taken to the hospital, the Vatican had been issuing reassuring news about his condition, up to Tuesday's late night news cast on Vatican radio.


First word of his transfer to the hospital Tuesday night came from Italian news media.

The Vatican announced earlier Tuesday that it had canceled the pope's engagements for the next few days.

The canceled appointments included John Paul's weekly public audience Wednesday. Besides the traditional morning gathering with the faithful, he had been scheduled to preside at a candle-blessing service in St. Peter's Basilica that evening.

The flu has been sweeping through Italy since December. The Rome region, which is shivering through a cold spell that has dropped temperatures below freezing at night, has been among those hit the hardest.

About 40 percent of the flu cases have been children, with the elderly making up only a small fraction of cases after an aggressive campaign of flu vaccinations for older people, health officials said.

It was not known whether the pontiff had a flu shot.

Vatican Radio asked Navarro-Valls earlier Tuesday if the pope felt the good wishes of people worldwide who are concerned about his health.

"I think so, and as always, the Holy Father is grateful for the prayers of the faithful and of all those who love him. I think this closeness means a lot to him," Navarro-Valls said.

John Paul has kept a busy schedule despite experiencing difficulties with speech and movement that are typical for Parkinson's sufferers.

The last time the pope skipped an audience for illness was in September 2003, when he canceled his traditional Wednesday appointment for pilgrims and tourists because of an intestinal ailment.

The Vatican makes brief announcements when the pope falls ill but rarely provides details about the extent of the illness or any medication he may be taking.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...eu/pope_flu_24

Being Catholic myself this is quite worrying. I will pray that he is okay and he will get through this one. His health is not too great to begin with, so I just hope that God gives him the strength he needs. He has done many great things in promoting peace and he's very influencial on the entire world, not just Catholics.

[Carno]

I never understood the obsession with the Pope. Maybe it's just because I'm not Catholic.

Maybe I'm just jaded because of the history of previous pope's...

[Mojo_PeiPei]

The obsession?

He is our religious leader, he is our highest moral authority, I don't think it's a matter of obsession.

And maybe you would do good to yourself not to Jade yourself because of the past, PJP II is a great theologian, a brilliant reformer, and an all around good human being.

At any rate doesn't look to good, PJP has been mired with various sicknesses and disease for a long time, on top of the parkinsons he has. Me thinks that we will be getting a new pope...

[wnker85]

Aren't they supposed to step down when they can no longer rule, and let the next pope come in?

[Mojo_PeiPei]

The thing is I'm not so much sure that he can't mentally do it, although I'm not all that sure on the extent of parkinsons he has and how it even effects him.

[Arroe]

Originally Posted by wnker85

Aren't they supposed to step down when they can no longer rule, and let the next pope come in?

no, they rule for life

[Halx]

Is it wrong for me to hope he dies soon? The dude is so old, it's impossible to rationalize that a man of his age and mental capacity can function as the leader of even a bingo hall. However, the last thing I need is a brand new religious leader who is full of life and ready to tackle all of the world's evils (me) through religious pressure.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[SecretMethod70]

First, let me state that it sucks when any person falls ill and is on the verge of death (not necessarily now, but in general due to his old age and persistent ailments), especially when that person has had such a profound effect as this one has. However, I agree with Hal in hoping that he dies soon (for different reasons of course), and I'm Catholic.

This pope has done a lot of great things, but he has also been far more conservative regarding certain theological (and certain non-theological, such as priestly marriage and female clergy) issues than I and many others would like. Aside for that, Hal's right: he's old. He is no longer capable of doing the same wonderful things he has done in the past.

I only hope that the dissatisfied cardinals number highly enough so that they will elect a more collegiate and contemporary pope afterwards. One who will be far more liberal in his interpretations of the reforms of Vatican II. It will eventually come, but I'd like to see it sooner rather than later. On the flip side, I REALLY hope they don't elect someone like Cardinal Ratzinger.

[Tophat665]

Wouldn't it be ironic if he slipped into a persistant vegetative state and the cardinals started playing power politics and trying to figure out how to unhook him?

Halx, you're not wrong. He's mired a third of the world in medieval philosophy, and it is high time and past that he went home to papa If only we could convince him to take some other religious leaders with him.

This I will give JP Jr: He means well.

Hell's pavement, and all that.

SM70 - I think it would be nice too if the redbirds picked someone to lead the church into the 20th century (sic), but I think it's a lock that they'll pick someone who is liberal only by comparison. To Mussolini. JP Jr. appointed over half of them. They like the way he works it. They will pick someone else like him. (Oh please, dada, Alibinizi is the name you want to stick in those decrepit heads.)

MJPP- Yes, he's your Spiritual leader. That doesn't make it not an obsession. Just saying.

[ironman]

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

I REALLY hope they don't elect someone like Cardinal Ratzinger.

I agree with you entirely. When i read this news early this morning i thought it would be better for him to die already but in the other hand, thinking of Ratzinger as our new Pope sent a shiver through my spine. This guy did a 180 turn some years ago and it is my impression that he would like the Catholic Church to do the same thing.

[Carno]

Originally Posted by Mojo_PeiPei

The obsession?

He is our religious leader, he is our highest moral authority, I don't think it's a matter of obsession.

And maybe you would do good to yourself not to Jade yourself because of the past, PJP II is a great theologian, a brilliant reformer, and an all around good human being.

At any rate doesn't look to good, PJP has been mired with various sicknesses and disease for a long time, on top of the parkinsons he has. Me thinks that we will be getting a new pope...

I guess.

Still seems like an obsession to me. An outdated adherence to silly traditions and unneccessary rules. But then, that's how I view Catholicism in general.

I guess that comes from being raised in a non-denominational Christian church.. I view the Bible as the highest moral authority, not some human.

[hambone]

I just always viewed the guy as a really old dude. It was interesting to hear on the news that he has accomplished a lot in his life. I suppose that should have been obvious, but as far as I knew all he ever did was wave and be old.

[Carno]

Originally Posted by hambone

I just always viewed the guy as a really old dude. It was interesting to hear on the news that he has accomplished a lot in his life. I suppose that should have been obvious, but as far as I knew all he ever did was wave and be old.

lolol.... That's hilarious

No offense to any Catholics though..