Pope in medical crisis
{{date|April 1, 2005}}
Several sources report Pope {{w|John Paul II}}, who was receiving nutrition from a tube inserted through his nose, is no longer using the tube. The tube was inserted shortly after the pontiff appeared at his window overlooking {{w|St. Peter’s Square}} and was only able to speak several words.

The tube used was threaded down the nose and throat into the stomach. A surgically implanted tube was also considered at the time, but it was deemed excessively invasive according to Dr. Barbara Paris, director of geriatrics at {{w|Maimonides Medical Center}} in {{w|New York City|New York}}.

There are reports the pontiff has a severe urinary tract infection. The infection caused a severe fever which developed into a medical crisis. He is being treated by antibiotics and has recently suffered from heart failure and a significant reduction in kidney function.  According to the Vatican, he is currently "lucid", breathing shallowly, and surrounded by his top aides.

The Pope's condition has led many to pray &mdash; both {{w|Roman Catholicism|Catholics}} and non-Catholics.  A large number of people are outside the papal apartment in the {{w|Vatican City}}.  Many people have also come to pray at {{w|St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York|St. Patrick's Cathedral}} in {{w|New York City}}.

The ailing Pope also suffers from {{w|Parkinson's disease}}, which makes it difficult for him to talk while knee and hip ailments are taking a serious toll on his mobility. The series of new ailments follows the breathing tube insertion by only a month's time.

== Related news ==

*{{wikinews|title=Pope gets feeding tube through nose|date=March 30, 2005}}
*{{wikinews|title=Pope John Paul II makes surprise appearance at window of his hospital room|date=February 27, 2005}}
*{{wikinews|title=Pope John Paul II dies|date=April 2, 2005}}

== Sister links ==
{{sisters
|Pope John Paul II
}}

== Sources ==
*[http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/3110499 Infection causing high fever in pope] ''Houston Chronicle''
*[http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0501776.htm Italian doctors recommend surgically implanted tube]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4396273.stm Description of former tube treatment]
*{{source|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-pope,1,2407790.story?coll=chi-news-hed |title= Pope Has High Fever From Urinary Infection |author= Frances D'Emilio |pub= Chicago Tribune|Associated Press |date=March 31, 2005}}
*[http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/4330463/detail.html Vatican: Pope Being Fed Through Tube In Nose] ''TheBostonChannel.com''

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[[Category:The Vatican]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Pope John Paul II]]
[[Category:Italy]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Roman Catholic Church]]

[[de:Papst wird künstlich ernährt]]
[[es:La salud del Papa empeora de forma dramática]]
[[it:Il Papa si aggrava]]
[[pl:Stan zdrowia papieża pogarsza się]]
[[pt:Saúde do papa piora]]
Several sources report Pope St. Peter’s Square and was only able to speak several words.

The tube used was threaded down the nose and throat into the stomach. A surgically implanted tube was also considered at the time, but it was deemed excessively invasive according to Dr. Barbara Paris, director of geriatrics at New York City|New York.

There are reports the pontiff has a severe urinary tract infection. The infection caused a severe fever which developed into a medical crisis. He is being treated by antibiotics and has recently suffered from heart failure and a significant reduction in kidney function.  According to the Vatican, he is currently "lucid", breathing shallowly, and surrounded by his top aides.

The Pope's condition has led many to pray — both Catholics and non-Catholics.  A large number of people are outside the papal apartment in the St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York|St. Patrick's Cathedral in .

The ailing Pope also suffers from , which makes it difficult for him to talk while knee and hip ailments are taking a serious toll on his mobility. The series of new ailments follows the breathing tube insertion by only a month's time.


de:Papst wird künstlich ernährt
es:La salud del Papa empeora de forma dramática
it:Il Papa si aggrava
pl:Stan zdrowia papieża pogarsza się
Saúde do papa piora
The Vatican Religion Pope John Paul II Italy Europe Christianity Roman Catholic Church