My thoughts and prayers are with the Pope. While I am not Catholic, I do hold great respect for him and his position. With what seem the final days of his life we must now begin to think to the future. What will be the results of the selection of a new Pope, this is in some peoples eyes the most powerful position in the world. Hopefully he has many, good, years in front of him.
By VICTOR L. SIMPSON
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope John Paul II underwent a successful operation Thursday night to insert a tube in his throat to relieve his breathing problems, hours after he was rushed back to the hospital for the second time in a month with flu-like symptoms of fever and congestion, the Vatican said.
The pontiff was conscious in his hospital room after the tracheotomy, breathing with the help of a respirator, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.
A top aide to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi who visited the pope Thursday said John Paul was "serene" after waking up from the anesthesia. The pope raised his hand and attempted to speak with doctors but was told not to try, Cabinet Undersecretary Gianni Letta told reporters at Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome. Read More...
