Pope John Paul II hospitalized
Vatican says pontiff is suffering from the flu
BREAKING NEWS
NBC, MSNBC and news services
Updated: 5:50 p.m. ET Feb. 1, 2005
VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II was taken to a hospital Tuesday night, the Vatican said.
The pope fell ill with influenza Sunday and was forced to cancel all his engagements over the past two days. He was taken to Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, where he has been treated in the past, as a precaution, the Vatican said, without elaborating.
John Paul, 84, who has wrestled with complications of Parkinson’s disease for several years, came down with the flu Sunday, and doctors advised that he cut back on his activities. NBC’s Stephen Weeke reported that the pope had been noticeably more frail than normal in recent weeks, speaking in an unusually weak and gravelly voice.
The Italian Health Ministry has recommended flu shots, particularly for the elderly, but Vatican officials refused to say whether John Paul had one, citing his right to privacy.
The Vatican makes brief announcements when the pope takes ill but rarely provides details on the extent of the illness or any medicine he may be taking. In addition to Parkinson’s disease, he suffers from crippling knee and hip ailments.
John Paul’s voice was weak but he was otherwise in good form during a public appearance Sunday when he tried to release a dove out of his apartment window as a symbol of peace. He chuckled with children who watched in delight as the bird flew back into the room overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
The pontiff was addressing thousands of young people from an Italian Catholic organization who marked January as a month to promote peace.
NBC’s Stephen Weeke in Rome, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Vatican says pontiff is suffering from the flu
BREAKING NEWS
NBC, MSNBC and news services
Updated: 5:50 p.m. ET Feb. 1, 2005
VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II was taken to a hospital Tuesday night, the Vatican said.
The pope fell ill with influenza Sunday and was forced to cancel all his engagements over the past two days. He was taken to Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, where he has been treated in the past, as a precaution, the Vatican said, without elaborating.
John Paul, 84, who has wrestled with complications of Parkinson’s disease for several years, came down with the flu Sunday, and doctors advised that he cut back on his activities. NBC’s Stephen Weeke reported that the pope had been noticeably more frail than normal in recent weeks, speaking in an unusually weak and gravelly voice.
The Italian Health Ministry has recommended flu shots, particularly for the elderly, but Vatican officials refused to say whether John Paul had one, citing his right to privacy.
The Vatican makes brief announcements when the pope takes ill but rarely provides details on the extent of the illness or any medicine he may be taking. In addition to Parkinson’s disease, he suffers from crippling knee and hip ailments.
John Paul’s voice was weak but he was otherwise in good form during a public appearance Sunday when he tried to release a dove out of his apartment window as a symbol of peace. He chuckled with children who watched in delight as the bird flew back into the room overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
The pontiff was addressing thousands of young people from an Italian Catholic organization who marked January as a month to promote peace.
NBC’s Stephen Weeke in Rome, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
