VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II's blood pressure fell and he developed a high fever, an Italian news agency said Thursday, a worrying report that came a day after the ailing 84-year-old pontiff was given a feeding tube.
However, a Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that he was unaware the pontiff's condition had worsened, and the pope's situation was "regular" a few hours ago.
The Apcom news agency, citing unidentified sources, said doctors had to intervene because of a "worrying lowering of (blood) pressure." The news agency also said the pope reportedly had a high fever.
Fender wrote:The problem w/ JPII dieing is that someone more narrow minded and out of tune with modern thinking and science could come in to power.
Yes, but it's going to happen sooner or later. Whether he dies today or in a year, it won't make a difference. I think there's a good chance of getting a fairly liberal person in the vatican, but there's just as good of a chance of it being someone ultra-conservative.
i normally wouldn't give two shits about the pope dying, but i agree that it'd be bad for someone a lot more conservative to replace him. he was fairly liberal - as popes go anyway.