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On 31 March, the Pope developed a "very high fever caused by a urinary tract infection" (see BBC BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4399189.stm)), but was not rushed to hospital, apparently in accordance with his stated wishes to die in the
Vatican. Later that day, Vatican sources announced that the Pope had been given the Anointing of the Sick (Last Rites) of the Roman Catholic Church, the first time that pope had received the sacrament since the 1981 assassination attempt on his life. It is unclear if the Pope received the Apostolic Pardon as well. (See CNN article (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/03/31/pope1/index.html)).
On 1 April, his condition worsened drastically, with his heart and kidneys rapidly failing. The Pope had been fitted with a second feeding tube in his nose to help boost his nutritional intake as a result of his fever. Reports out of the Vatican early that morning reported that the Pope had suffered a heart attack, but remained awake. (See Yahoo News article (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&u=/ap/20050401/ap_on_re_eu/pope_5)). Vatican spokesperson Joaquin Navarro-Valls denied the reports of the heart attack, but said the Pope had suffered a "cardiocirculatory collapse" and called the Pope's condition "very serious" (see CNN article (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/04/01/pope1/index.html)).
At around 10:30 UTC, a Vatican spokesman gave a further briefing on the Pope's health, he confirmed that the Pope has had the Last Rites. He refused to be taken to the hospital, and met with his closest associates. He also requested that he be read the meditations said on the Stations of the Cross a few days before.
At approximately 17:00 UTC (19:00 CEST, 12:00 EST) the Italian news sources claimed that Pope John
At approximately 17:00 UTC (19:00 CEST, 12:00 EST) the Italian news sources claimed that Pope John
Paul II lost consciousness. At least one medical center stated that there is no more hope for him, according to MSNBC.
The Vatican published a press release at 17:00 UTC (19:00 CEST, 12:00 EST) saying the Pope's kidneys had stopped functioning. The ANSA news agency reported around half an hour later that he lost consciousness. Several Italian media agencies reported the Pope's death at 18:20 UTC (20:20 CEST, 13:20 EST), but soon afterwards, the Vatican denied that the Pope was indeed dead, and stories changed. TV Sky Italia reported that his heart and brain were functioning.
On 2 April the Pope's condition was reported by the Vatican to be "very grave" and that the Pope was "near death". The Pope was said to be "lapsing in and out of consciousness" but had not fallen into a coma. Early in the evening, the Vatican announced that his condition "remain[s] very serious. In late morning, the high fever developed." However, "when addressed by members of his household, he responds correctly."
On 2 April 2005 in his private apartments, at 19:37 UTC (21:37 CET), the Pope died at the age of 84.
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Reactions in the world
John Paul II was mourned by a crowd of over 70,000 within Vatican City, over one billion Catholics worldwide, and many non-Catholics.
In the United States, the national flag was put at half-staff over the White House. President George W. Bush provided a few remarks at 21:00 UTC expressing his regret at the loss of a champion of human freedom and of an inspiration to millions, a hero for the ages.
In the Saturday Afternoon session of the 175th General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Gordon B. Hinckley expressed his condolences to the Catholic world and expressed his gratitude for the life and accomplishments of the late pope, calling him a defender of freedom.
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Succession process
Following the death of John Paul II, the succession process began. His Ring of the Fisherman and seal have been scratched over and smashed by the cardinal camerlengo, Eduardo Marti'nez Somalo, this signifies the end of the current papal authority. The Pope's apartment will be sealed and the nine days of ceremonial mourning will follow. The body of John Paul II will lie in state for public visitation until the funerals.
There will be a Papal Election in a few weeks. A number of men have been mentioned as papabili (possible successors), including Cardinals Joseph Ratzinger, Jorge Bergoglio, Francis Arinze, Cla'udio Hummes, Angelo Sodano, Christoph Scho"nborn, Dionigi Tettamanzi, and Giovanni Battista Re.
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