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Gravely Ill Pope Losing Consciousness

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  • Gravely Ill Pope Losing Consciousness

    ABC News

    Gravely Ill Pope Losing Consciousness

    By VICTOR L. SIMPSON Associated Press Writer

    The Associated Press

    VATICAN CITY Apr 2, 2005 - Pope John Paul II showed the first signs of
    losing consciousness at dawn on Saturday, the Vatican said, as priests
    around the world prepared the Roman Catholic faithful for his passing.

    But John Paul, 84, was not in a coma and opened his eyes when spoken to,
    papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said.

    The pope's health began deteriorating Thursday after he suffered a urinary
    tract infection. In its latest statement the Vatican, which earlier
    described his heart and kidneys as failing, said his condition was unchanged
    and "very grave."


    Navarro-Valls said the pope was still speaking late Friday but did not take
    part when Mass was celebrated in his presence Saturday morning.

    "Since dawn this morning there have been first signs that consciousness is
    being affected," he said.

    "Sometimes it seems as if he were resting with his eyes closed, but when you
    speak to him, he opens his eyes," Navarro-Valls said.

    He said aides had told the pope that thousands of young people were in St.
    Peter's Square on Friday evening. Navarro-Valls said the pope appeared to be
    referring to them when he seemed to say: "'I have looked for you. Now you
    have come to me. And I thank you.'"

    Vatican cardinal Achille Silvestrini visited John Paul Saturday morning,
    accompanied by another cardinal, Jean-Louis Tauran.

    "I found him relaxed, placid, serene. He was in his bed. He was breathing
    without labor. He looked like he lost weight," Silvestrini said.

    He said the when he and Tauran came into the room, the pope seemed to
    recognize them.

    "The pope showed with a vibration of his face that he understood, indicating
    with a movement of his eyes. He showed he was reacting," he added.

    For a second day, the Vatican announced a series of papal appointments
    including a Spanish bishop, an official of the Armenian Catholic Church and
    ambassadors to El Salvador and Panama.

    One of the pope's closest aides, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was quoted
    Saturday as saying that when he saw the pontiff on Friday morning, John Paul
    was "aware that he is passing to the Lord."
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