POPE JOHN PAUL, II HAS DIED OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM VATICAN IMMINENT (Breaking Nws) 9:37 PM Rome 4/2

FOX news | April 2, 2005

[CitizenM]

(Saturday) Vatican City, Rome Italy - The official Vatican announcement by Cardinal Ruini, is expected momentarily. Media is standing by as we watch and wait.

Synopsis of the Worldwide Two Day Vigil: "The Pilgrim Pope" - Since Thursday, March 31 and the announcement of the Pope’s critical condition, high fever, and urinary tract infection, and subsequent septic shock there has been a constant vigil of the faithful while media coverage has been continually providing updates along with stories, and historical information on this holiest of holy men. Early in the afternoon of Friday, April 1, international media and the people throughout the world were sent into frenzy that began immediately after the noontime Mass (where special prayers had just been offered for The Pontiff’s health and peace). While Mass was still being held, word somehow spread that the Pope had lost consciousness; and then the announcement that he had also suffered kidney failure. Shortly, a (false) broadcast on networks every proclaimed that The Pontiff had died. The world held its breath and waited for the “official” notification, while all over the mourning began, and people dropped to their knees in St. Peter's Square. People stopped working, televisions and radio commentators spoke in solemn tones. But, no "official” word came and well over fifteen minutes had passed. Finally a Vatican spokesperson announced that the Holy See was, indeed, still alive! Contrary to all announcements, his heart was beating and his brain was still functioning. Hours passed, and no news of any change in the Pope's condition was presented while people continued to pray and wonder. It was being assumed that the many procedures and preparations were being made within the Vatican. In the streets of Vatican City people noted the obvious security measures taking place: more barricades were erected, and more significant crowd control procedures were implemented in preparation for the expected rise in the vigilant. An additional number of streets were closed to motor traffic; a number of ambulances were placed on the immediate grounds for any required emergency assistance for the people. At approximately 5:00 p.m. (US EST) another announcement was made that John Paul, II was conscious and had never lost consciousness. Sorrowful, vigilant crowds have filled St. Peter’ Square rising to about 70,000 during the day Thursday. During that time hymns rang out spontaneously and a Rosary Ceremony was held. Churches filled with the prayerful around the world. In Poland, especially, people gathered in the streets and outside the building in Krakow where the Pope stayed when he visited what he always called “home.” Luminary candles were placed all over the grounds. Pilgrimages from all over Europe to Vatican City were announced underway and included Catholics and those of all faiths whose love, respect, and admiration of this Holy man transcends all religious and ethnic lines. The crows are expected to swell to over 100,000 in the Vatican. At 11:00 A.M (Rome time) Saturday, the Vatican , spokesman, Navarro-Fellas, made a statement that the Pope's condition remained “very grave” but basically unchanged. He was not in a coma, although there had been periods of unconsciousness ( medical commentators told us that was most likely due to the toxins that built up in his system). However, he would awaken and even interact and be alert. The spokesman related the Pope's love of the children. Note: He was so loved by them they nicknamed him “Papa,” and “JPII.”. A huge “World Youth Day” has been in the planning for years and was scheduled for Aug. 20, 2005, Cologne, Germany.( Message of the Holy Father To the Youth of the world on the Occasion of the 20th World Youth Day ) Navarro-Fellas related how the Holy Father had been told that mostly young people had been vigilant in the square the night before. That seemed to please him and he spoke, difficult to understand, but he said:

"I have looked for you, now you have come to me. Now I thank you." Later in the day it was reported that, although seriously ill, he had completed some official duties and assigned a few more bishops. Mentally, when he was awake, it was related, he was able to remain focused. So, from his bed he was still handling some unfinished business he wanted to finalize, it was said. His bedroom was described at one point (giving us a beautiful mental picture). We were told it was all white with white fluffy bedding, and John Paul, II was propped up in a semi-sitting position. It was described as serene and peaceful and His Eminence was receiving constant attention, particularly from the three nuns who have regularly cared for him. Saturday evening, dusk came again to Rome, and a candlelight vigil was renewed by the faithful around 6:00 PM. A respectful silence fell over the crowds as they awaited news. It was said that, again, that the crowd of approximately 60,000 contained a significant number of young people who, although respectful in their attendance, had become quite boisterous. Media personnel reported there was an air of reverence punctuated with jubilation for His Holiness, as they celebrated his coming passage into Heaven. It was not one bit an unruly crowd, and quite well-mannered. Finally around 7:00 PM (Rome) another update came from the chief spokesman, Navarro-Fallas, who presented the media with a written statement that read: “ The Pontiff had developed a high fever in the late morning. His physical condition is still quite serious. He is responding to household aides.” The message appeared somewhat terse but was, evidently, meant to dispel rumors that had arisen that he was in a complete coma. It was also noted on the broadcasts that the Holy See could have been experiencing periods of ecstasy/rapture that he has oft slipped into when in fervent prayer, and, perhaps, was not just “unconscious.” Since that is somewhat misunderstood by the majority of people, it was not openly discussed by the Vatican spokesperson. At the time of his death, and once it has been ascertained to be definite, and he has been removed from his bedroom, the Camerlengo of the Vatican locks and seals the private apartment of the Pontiff. The pope’s Fisherman’s ring with his unique seal are smashed with a silver hammer to symbolize the end of his reign and to prevent forgeries. No autopsy is performed. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger will then speak to the people. The Bronze Door, a massive portal beneath a portico off St. Peter's Square is closed and is kept shut until a new pontiff is elected When the dramatic closing of the shutters on the windows of the Pontiff's apartment takes place that serves as another traditional symbol to the world that Pope John Paul, II, (born Karol Wojtyla, May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland) the world’s first Polish pope, has completed his work and extraordinary reign of 26 years. He will have left his earthly bonds to take his well-deserved place of honor among the highest of angels. Peace, my dear Holy Father. May the love of the people you served so unselfishly surround and lift you as you rise, effortlessly, through the clouds. We rejoice. You are no longer suffering pain or discomfort, your journey is over and you will be rewarded with God's waiting embrace, and the open arms of Our Lady of Fatima for whom you had such special devotion. Pope John Paul, The Great Pope John Paul, II - May 18, 1920-April 2, 2005 Holy Father, you led us in life. You left us your love.

[MeekOneGOP]

This Holy mans death is a great loss to the world.

Yes, it certainly is, Potlatch.

If the Catholic Church can find someone only HALF as
good as Pope John Paul II, they have really done GOOD! :)

[BigSkyFreeper]

"Be Not Afraid", such a lovely and fitting poem for his final days here on Earth. I believe the Holy Father taught all of us, to not fear death these last few days.

[jbarkley]

I'd like to think they are walking together like this in Heaven right now.

[eastsider]

In the summer, all the Saturday evening Sunday vigil masses I'm familiar with occur before sunset, which practice doesn't have any tradition to back it up. Still, if the Church says that those summer vigil masses satisfy the Sunday obligation, then they do. In fact, the Church takes liberties with the calendar all the time, such as we see this year when Easter in the West falls before Passover. The issue is de minimis.

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you"kstewskis"Boze moj Boze:{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{

[DoughtyOne]

To all the Catholic Freepers, I extend my condolences for your loss. Here's hoping that the selection process lofts a good replacement.

D1

[luvie]

Maybe you just need a hug!

[jragan2001]

I second that posting also.

[Schwaeky]

Christopher Hitchens is a disgusting anti-catholic, anti-spiritual goon. He's a ultra left liberal who holds nothing sacred--and a socialist. If it wasn't insulting to a band I like greatly, I'd say he was a knight in satan's service.

[neocon]

If Easter (and other high feasts, BTW, like Christmas) gets the dignity of a vigil, then it's not hard to see why Sunday, the "little Easter," may get the same.

That's essentially correct.

Following the Jewish tradition of having the Sabbath begin at sunset of the previous evening, our Sunday celebration begins with First Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Saturday, and ends with Compline on Sunday night. A Mass which fulfills the Sunday obligation can be celebrated any time in between. The Vigil Mass was more common in ancient times than in more recent centuries, and the practice was revived by the Second Vatican Council, which also recommended an increased public celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Vespers is nominally said around sunset or at 6pm, but there's a good deal of flexibility allowed, especially if pastoral considerations recommend an earlier time. The major hours of Lauds and Vespers can also be combined with Mass, which essentially means a recitation of three psalms (with antiphons) and the appropriate Gospel Canticle (Benedictus for Lauds or Magnificat for Vespers) after Communion.

I have found that the public celebration of the Hours is fairly rare outside of religious communities in the States, but major churches in Europe, e.g., London's Westminster Cathedral, do maintain this ancient practice, which goes back at least to St. Augustine.

As you probably know, there is a table of precedence for various feasts. This week is one continuous celebration of Easter Sunday, which does not end until Vespers tomorrow evening, and this takes precedence over all other potential feasts. This Sunday, which used to be known as Low Sunday, and is now Divine Mercy Sunday by decree of our Holy Father of blessed memory, is actually the last day of the Easter celebration.

[Larry Lucido]

God bless and comfort you in this difficult, anonymoussierra.

[jbarkley]

The woman on Fox said something that was very touching.

I'm paraphrasing - he was neither liberal or conservative, he was Catholic and it transcends everything else.

[anonymoussierra]

Thank you all be strong!!!!:{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{I am sorry I do not now feel good:{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

[DoughtyOne]

The good old days...

[tiredoflaundry]

Thank You sooooooooo much. We lost our Father today. At least that's how I'm feeling today. I'm sure many other Catholics feel the same.

My prayer now will be that the Holy Spirit guides the Cardinals to give us a Pope that comes close to John Paul II.

It's funny , sometimes I think my teenagers have no clue to what goes on in the world beyond the cell phone & computer.
My oldest said to me when he heard The Pope had passed was "I feel sorry for whoever is the next Pope,because he will have to fill size 24 shoes".

[anonymoussierra]

Powstancie ukochani trzymajcie sie w sercu pamietajacie, ze on jest z nami.Bog zaplac

[La Enchiladita]

Won't tomorrow -- the day the first Vatican mass will be said for John Paul II (9 hours from now) -- be Orthodox Easter Sunday?

[Rightly Biased]

Beautiful post I'm sure you put a lot of effort into it Well done and quite honoring

God Bless you for your Efforts.

RB

[DoughtyOne]

Kids will surprise you, for sure. They can been the messengers of doom, and also the silver linings on gloomy days.