Friday, April 01, 2005
PREPARING FOR A CONCLVE
It appears that the Pope's physical condition has deteriorated to the point of grave consequence. Edinburg Evening News Reports:
POPE John Paul appeared close to death today after suffering heart failure and septic shock.
The Vatican said his condition was "very grave" as prayers were being said for the ailing pontiff around the world.
The 84-year-old, who has received communion commonly known as the last rites, decided himself not to go to hospital for treatment.
One of the Pope’s close friends, Polish cardinal Andrzej Maria Deskur, said the pontiff was "fading serenely", according to the Italian news agency AGI.
They would not be making such statements unless the end is near.
Catholic World News describes the condition of the inner workings of the Church during the period of the conclave. The Camerlengo, Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, will be the name on everyone's lips as the transition takes place. Apart from him and, Cardinal James Francis Stafford, the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary whose office deals with issues of conscience, all other offices of the Curia become vacant, and the drama of a conclave begins.
