For those that haven't checked the Pope Given Last Rites thread.
None of the major news websites has it up yet, but I've been watching it on television.
There are conflicting reports, and the Italian news service has now said it was incorrect to announce his death.
Stay tuned.
[ April 01, 2005, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: Belle ]
Posted by Mr.Gumby (Member # 6303) on :
I feel kinda bad because I was thinking of making this same thread and making it an april fools joke... sorry
Posted by The White Whale (Member # 6594) on :
Posted by Ben (Member # 6117) on :
The site just had it as dead, then changed it back to clinging to life at cnn.com...weird.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Both CNN and the Fox tv stations are reporting him as dead, saying it's based on a report from Italian news services.
I hope there isn't a mistake.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
In the tradition of Generalissimo Francisco Franco ( remember SNL in the early days?) and Yasser Arafat, can we expect "he's dead" "he's not dead" updates now?
Edited to add: He can't be dead, they haven't broken into my ABC soaps with a new flash yet.
P.S. this is not intended to be insulting to Catholics, just a commentary on the news from someone in the news business.
[ April 01, 2005, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: CaySedai ]
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Okay, the TV stations have changed it too - apparently there was a report from the Vatican that says his brain and heart are still functioning.
So, the way it looks now - there was a report from a news service that he was dead, and the Vatican came out with a statement that contradicted that.
Yes, it looks like we do have an Arafat-like situation.
Man, that's got to be upsetting for so many people, it is upsetting me, and I'm not Catholic.
[ April 01, 2005, 01:50 PM: Message edited by: Belle ]
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
The BBC site seems confident he's still alive, and CBC says the same. I think they're waiting on a confirmed source...
Posted by dawnmaria (Member # 4142) on :
Cnn says they have conflicting reports right now.
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
Just spoken on CNN... Italian media now saying that reports about his death are "not the truth"
--j_k
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Our site is waiting until the Associated Press announces it, we don't report rumors.
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
It's going to be an interesting night at work ... I work at a newspaper. Last night the news editor was going to design two front pages in case the Pope passed away before press time.
Tonight, the editor may have to do that. I think that may be one reason I don't want to do the front page - too much responsibility.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Well, I feel bad for jumping the gun, I should have held off a bit.
Do you want me to delete this one, and we can just keep posting on the Pope Given Last Rites thread? Or should I leave this one as a place for us to discuss the news as it comes out?
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Oh wow...
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Might as well leave it, it was an honest mistake.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I'm watching the coverage on Fox, right now they are showing still photographs of the Pope with people all over the world.
There is such a beautiful countenance on his face when he embraces these people - something about him radiates love.
They have been talking about what he has said about his late hours - he wanted nutrition and hydration, but no electronic monitoring and he declined to go to the hospital today. He wanted to spend his last moments in his own apartments surrounded by people who love him and with prayer.
Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :
quote: With the pope, there is a well-defined procedure for what to do when he dies.
Ron was talking about this. Is it true that they are supposed to call his name loudly a few times, and whack him in the head after his death is confirmned? Some sort of tradition?
I feel badly for the guy. It won't be long. Posted by Soara (Member # 6729) on :
i thought this was an April fools joke. i was expecting, "Well guys, that's it... he's dead."
Posted by ssywak (Member # 807) on :
Schroedinger's Pope?
Posted by Uhleeuh (Member # 6803) on :
quote: Is it true that they are supposed to call his name loudly a few times, and whack him in the head after his death is confirmned? Some sort of tradition?
quote: When the Pope dies, the Cardinal Camerlengo (currently Eduardo Cardinal Martinez Somalo) must verify the death, traditionally by calling the Pope three times by his name without response. He must then authorize a death certificate and make the event public by notifying the Cardinal Vicar for the Diocese of Rome (currently Camillo Cardinal Ruini). The Camerlengo then seals the Pope's private apartments. He would also arrange for the "ring of the fisherman" and the papal seal to be broken. He then makes preparations for the Papal funeral rites, the novemdieles, the nine days of mourning.
Posted by Princess Leah (Member # 6026) on :
What are they going to do if the Pope can be kept alive a la Terry Shiavo? Don't they need a Pope who is, you know, active?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
That doesn't seem likely. His organs are failing, and he's having severe cardiac problems. Schiavo was relatively physically healthy.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Even though he's had a long run and it's his time, and the fact that I'm now agnostic, I'm still sad. I was raised Catholic and have a certain amount of nostalgia for it... and John Paul II has been the only Pope I've known.
It will be interesting to see the Vatican infrastructure at work around Conclave though. I find it interesting how the Chamberlain becomes the governor of the Church when they are between Popes. Makes sense considering the Chamberlain, while not having any real office of power (except when the Pope dies), has been around the Pope for years and years and knows how things work and probably what the late Pope would want things.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)