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.

[Kate of Spice Island]

Happy memories...my heart is filled with both joy for the life he lead and sadness that we now must go on without him. I knew better than to try to go see him with my babies when he came to Phoenix in 1987.

Kate

[virgil]

Let the liberal press clamor all they want, because the papal electors will be in conclave and will be out of reach of them

[maica]

I have a feeling that your collage will be circling the globe many times in the next few days.

Terrific work.

[texasbluebell]

Pope John Paul II is pictured praying in Saint John of Laterano Basilica, where he celebrated a mass and headed a procession through Rome to celebrate the Roman Catholic feast of Corpus Domini, in this June 19, 2003 file photo.

[texasbluebell]

Wonderful! Thank you.

[eastsider]

A prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide the conclave in choosing John Paul's successor would be in order.

[texasbluebell]

Christmas Eve, 2004, lighting a candle at his window.

[CitizenM]

My sister is the Director of Religious Education at a large Diocese in Pgh. I suspect you want to do this in a way 4th graders will find comfort and peace - and understand.

I will check with her and Freepmail you. But, one thing for sure. "Be Not Afraid" is a good start. It was the first thing PJPII said when he gave his first speech after being elected. It is simple.

And you might tell them the children called him "Papa" and "JPII."

I saw some T-shirts on line and if I can find a pic I will send it to you or the link, Freepmail, too.

[BigSkyFreeper]

FYI. I also found it on WinMX, by searching for "Be Not Afraid" the "Artist" is labeled "Catholic Hymn". :)

[jbarkley]

Thank you.

[BigSkyFreeper]

We mourn for ourselves.

Nah. The world mourns. I'm not even Catholic, and I even felt a sense of loss.

[RepubMommy]

But what a joyous moment in heaven! The hosts of angels singing! I don't know what heaven is like, for sure, but I like to think of it this way: I think my dear mother is about to meet her very favorite Pole. Can I smile and cry at the same time?

I have been thinking the same thing all evening. What a feast must be taking place up there as we speak.

[maica]

Tell them about the millions of young people that he went around the world to see, and that some of his last words were to the young people who were praying for him in St Peter's Square.

Yeah, I know that 'young' means something different to a 4th grader than 'old folks' approaching 20, but maybe you can use the idea anyway.

[BigSkyFreeper]

EWTN has been carrying extensive John Paul II remembrance programming all afternoon and evening that I've found quite interesting to watch.

[PleaseNoMore]

That particular picture, out of all of them, is evidence that Christ lived in and through this man.

[texasbluebell]

So true.

[cyncooper]

Off Topic But I am sitting here listening to Chris Matthews IMO .. He really needs to put a sock in it He is a disgrace

That is too bad. I opined early on today that Chris Matthews would probably be OK covering this and then shortly after I heard him work in the word "neo-con" (I think he was saying how the Pope wasn't one but how he thought that was appropriate took my breath away) and after that I have surfed right on if I happen on MSNBC and he's talking.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I heard that the Turk who tried to kill JPII has been walking with the Lord ever since John Paul II sat down with the gunman and told the gunman he was forgiven.

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

Excruciating.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I agree. I found Chris Matthews' coverage to be absolutely repugnant. He spent 10 minutes arguing with Pat Buchanan that homosexuality is not a sin, and saying that JPII was in the wrong to condemn homosexuality as a sin. I sat in front of the TV screaming back to Chris to tell me where in the Bible it says what he believes. I know it's not in the Bible, and that's my point.