Vatican statements on pope's condition
VATICAN CITY -- The following is a translation of a statement issued by chief Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls Saturday morning on the health of Pope John Paul II:
"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.
"Mass was celebrated at 7.30 this morning 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.'"
On Friday afternoon, the Vatican issued a statement saying:
"The pope remains conscious. This morning at 6 he celebrated Mass. About 7:15, realizing that today is Friday, a day in which he traditionally follows the Stations of the Cross, he asked that the 14 stations be read to him. He followed attentively the reading of the text and made the sign of the cross at every station.
"After finishing the stations, he said he wished to recite the Liturgy of Hours and asked specifically that the Third Hour be read to him.
"I saw this morning that he received several of his collaborators: Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of state; Archbishop Leonardo Sandri; Cardinal Camillo Ruini; Cardinal Edmund Szoka; Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the dean of the College of Cardinals; Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, and Archbishop Paolo Sardi.
"The situation now is stationary. The conditions of notable seriousness remain.
"The biological parameters are unsettled. His blood pressure is unstable.
"The pope continues to remain lucid, fully aware and, I must say, very serene.
"Several minutes ago he asked that some passages from Sacred Scriptures be read to him, and he attentively followed this reading."
Earlier Friday, the Vatican released the following statement about the pope's health:
"This morning, the Holy Father's health condition is very grave.
"Yesterday afternoon, March 31, as has been already announced, following a urinary infection, a state of septic shock and cardiocirculatory collapse set in.
"The Holy Father was immediately assisted by the medical team in His Holiness's private apartments.
"All appropriate therapeutic provisions and cardio-respiratory assistance were provided. The Holy Father's will to remain in his apartments was respected. They are equipped with complete and efficient health facilities.
"Late yesterday afternoon there was a temporary stabilization of the clinical framework which, however, in the following hours evolved negatively.
"The Holy Father's condition is being attentively monitored and watched over.
"The Holy Father is conscious, lucid and tranquil. At 7.17 p.m. (1717 GMT Thursday) he received the Holy Viaticum (communion reserved for those close to death). At 6.00 a.m. today, the Holy Father celebrated Holy Mass.
"The cardinal secretary of state and the closest aides of the Holy Father are united with him in prayer and are following the clinical conditions of His Holiness.
"The Pope is being assisted by his personal doctor Renato Buzzonetti, as well as two intensive care specialists, a cardiologist and an ear, nose and throat specialist as well as two nurses."
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
