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Mother Teresa's heart rate steadies
August 25, 1996
Web posted at: 3:00 p.m. EDT (0245 GMT)CALCUTTA, India (CNN) -- Mother Teresa remained on a respirator Sunday, but doctors treating the 85-year-old nun said her heart rate was steadier. She was still listed in serious and unstable condition.
The team of six doctors keeping a round-the-clock vigil said they feared Mother Teresa's age and frailty could cause complications if she is kept on the respirator for too long.
"Sunday will be crucial for her. She must respond to treatment," said a doctor at the city's Woodlands Nursing Home, where the philanthropic missionary was in intensive care.
Mother Teresa has suffered three heart failures in as many days. She was hospitalized Tuesday suffering from malaria.
Catholic churches planned to say special prayers for the Nobel laureate during their regular Sunday services. Members of the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order that the nun founded to care for Calcutta's destitute, also were praying for her.
"Mother has a strong survival power. We are all praying to God for her," said Sister Doleres, who is in charge of Nirmal Hriday (Immaculate Heart), a home that Mother Teresa set up 44 years ago.
Crowds gathered outside the gates of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, the focus of her worldwide efforts to help the poor.
"We hope that she survives. It is difficult to say. It depends on God," Bishop Henry D'Souza of Calcutta said.
Letters of sympathy poured in from around the world, including messages from Pope John Paul II and Britain's Princess Diana.
CNN's Anita Pratap and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Mother Teresa hospitalized - August 22, 1996
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