- Title: ITALY/VATICAN CITY: POPE BREATHING PROBLEMS RECEDING SAY VATICAN.
- Date: 3rd February 2005
- Summary: (BN10) VATICAN CITY (FEBRUARY 3, 2005) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV/CU: ST PETER'S SQUARE, DETAILS OF BUILDINGS (3 SHOTS) 0.14 2. GV/PAN: DIRECTOR OF PRESS OFFICE OF THE HOLY SEAT JOAQUIN NAVARRO- VALLS ARRIVING AT THE VATICAN 0.29 3. VARIOUS: VATICAN PRESS OFFICIAL HANDING OUT THE LATEST MEDICAL BULLETIN TO JOURNALISTS; VARIOUS CLOSE UPS OF BULLETIN (8 SHOTS) 1.07 (BN10) ROME, ITALY (FEBRUARY 3, 2005) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 4. (SOUNDBITE) (ITALIAN) NICOLA CERVINO, PRESS SPOKESMAN FOR GEMELLI HOSPITAL SPEAKING IN THE LOBBY OF GEMELLI HOSPITAL, READING OUT THE TEXT OF THE HEALTH BULLETIN "The Holy Father's general condition and his respiratory condition are evolving positively. The laryngotracheitis is in a phase of regression and there have been no more episodes of laryngospasm, which was the reason for his urgent hospitalisation. The Holy Father had a quiet night of rest. Tomorrow, Friday (February 4) at 12 o'clock (1100gmt) a new statement will be released." 1.35 5. GV: EXTERIORS OF HOSPITAL 1.42 6. MV/CU: WOMAN HOLDING PICTURE WITH POPE AND VIRGIN MARY (2 SHOTS) 1.55 7. GV: SECURITY OUTSIDE HOSPITAL 2.01 8. LV: WIDE OF HOSPITAL ENTRANCE 2.07 (W3) VATICAN CITY (FEBRUARY 3, 2005) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 9. GV/PAN/GV: WORKERS DISMANTLING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AT THE SQUARE (3 SHOTS) 2.28 10. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) A NUN, SISTER DONATA SAYING: "I hope he will be better soon, and I pray a lot for him." 2.34 11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGE SUTHERLAND, A TOURIST FROM SCOTLAND, SAYING: "We wish (The Pope) good health, quick recovery and a long life." 2.47 12. GV/CU: VARIOUS OF ST. PETERS SQUARE; POSTER OF THE POPE IN THE FOREGROUND (4 SHOTS) 3.07 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 18th February 2005 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: ROME, ITALY/VATICAN CITY, VATICAN
- Country: Italy
- Reuters ID: LVA6CSAABI1MDC1GA0ETBFDHWFB
- Story Text: Pope condition "evolving positively" -Vatican
Pope John Paul's overall medical condition is
"evolving positively", the Vatican said in its latest
health bulletin on Thursday (February 3).
The statement said the breathing problems that had
required the Pope, 84, to be taken to hospitals on Tuesday
night were
receding and that he had not suffered any further throat
spasms.
"The Holy Father's general condition and his
respiratory condition are evolving positively," the brief
statement said.
"The laryngotracheitis is in a phase of regression and
there have been no more episodes of laryngospasm, which was
the reason for his urgent hospitalisation."
The Vatican said the leader of the world's Roman
Catholics had spent a restful night in hospital, and added
that the next
medical bulletin would be issued at noon (1100 GMT) on
Friday.
Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said earlier that he
expect
ed the Pope would have to spend a week in
Rome's Gemelli
hospital.
Outside the Vatican press room, workers at St. Peter's
square started dismantling Christmas decorations. Tourists
and pilgrims at the square joined well- wishers from around
the world and expressed hope that the frail Pontiff will
recover quickly.
"I hope he will be better soon, and I pray a lot for
him," said sister Donata.
"We wish (The Pope) good health, quick recovery and a
long life," said George Sutherland, a Scottish tourist.
However, doubts about the health of the ageing leader
of the worlds 1.1 billion Catholics will remain. Medical
experts said
laryngospasm, while rarely fatal, could be complicated by
the Popes age and frailty.
The frail Pontiff is also suffering from Parkinsons
disease and arthritis which have steadily reduced his
mobility and
ability to speak clearly in recent years.
The Pope was last seen in public at his Vatican window
addressing pilgrims last Sunday, looking relatively strong
but
speaking in a croaky and unsteady voice.
He can no longer walk unaided and is pale shadow of the
hale figure who in his younger days was known as Gods
Athlete.
Born Karol Wojtyla in Poland, he was only 58 when he
became Pope in 1978, the youngest Pontiff for more than a
century.
The third longest-serving Pope in history, John Paul is
also for some a controversial figure, drawing criticism
from the
liberal wing of the Church and elsewhere for his resolute
opposition to contraception and women priests.
Each time the Popes health falters, speculation bubbles
up over his possible successor, including whether he would
be from
the developing world, where the Church is expanding.
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