Pope Serious Again

He's had to battle long-term ill health and the problem of a deformed spine (I believe), which has been responsible for crushing his lungs for years, leaving him with desperate breathing problems. I'm not a Catholic, so I can't say at all how they feel, but is it a kindness to keep wheeling a mortally ill person out to the last minute? Couldn't someone have deputised for him, so that he could have had a little peace and quiet for a few months? I know when you're made Pope, you've got to go on until you die in office (surely an anachronism?), and maybe he really wanted to serve his faithful to the last, but it made me feel very sad for him, to see him given no respite from his duties when clearly beginning the process of fading away.

I wish him all the peace now that he deserves - he seemed to be the most likeable, warm, and humane representative the Church has had for a long, long time.
 
A number of spokespeople have addressed this issue in recent weeks.

The Pope may choose to retire if he so wishes. JPII is determined to continue with what he sees as his mission for as long as his faculties allow regardless of the effect it has on his health. It is his 'job' to do so.

I'm sure he'll find comfort in the knowledge that a billion people worldwide are praying for him.
 
His breathing is shallow, his kidneys have failed, itsa matter of a few hours before he's at peace. What a very dignified man he is, facing death head on and with such serenity. God bless him and rest in peace.
 
9-40 PM VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul is nearing death after his health suddenly worsened, drawing anguished prayers from Catholics around the world reluctant to accept his historic pontificate is at an end.

The Vatican said the 84-year-old Pontiff had difficulty breathing and his blood pressure had dropped dangerously low.



But it denied Italian media reports that the Pope, who received the blessing for the dying after his health deteriorated late on Thursday, had died.

Sky Italia TV, quoting a report from Italy's Apcom news agency, said the Polish-born Pope had lost consciousness. "The successor of Peter, the fisherman, is dying," Chicago's Cardinal Francis George said, holding back tears.
 
It was reported earlier that the Pope knows his situation and refused to go to the Hospital.

It is only a matter of hours.
 
Originally posted by jejquade@Apr 2 2005, 10:50 AM
He's also thanked all the people especially the young ones for keeping vigil outside his window.
Click to expand...
What, Nigel Planer, Rik Mayall, Christopher Ryan and Adrian Edmondson?
 
pope-mobile-ebay.gif
 
Back
Top