Has died. Breaking news.

By My2cuties on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:42 pm:

oh my goodness!

By Boxzgrl on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:44 pm:

May he rest in peace.

By Vicki on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:48 pm:

Cnn isn't reporting that?? They are saying that brain activity has stopped, but not his heart. Can I ask where you read or heard this? I am not questioning you, I am just trying to find facts. Thanks!!

By Vicki on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:53 pm:

I just watched CNN again and they were saying that an Italian news agency said that his heart and brain activity had stopped, but now they are backing off that story. They said it is unclear if either of those stories are true. What is obvious is that he is near the end. It is a sad day.

By Colette on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:54 pm:

It was on Cnn.com when I posted this- "pope has died"
then they changed it to "reports out of italian news that the pope has died" then they changed it to "trying to verify" and now they are back to saying "deteriorating condition"

drudge report is also saying he has died

By Colette on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:56 pm:

and now Drudge has changed as well.

By Christylee on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:57 pm:

Pope John Paul II was clinging to life Friday as his condition deteriorated further. The Vatican said his breathing was shallow and his kidneys were failing after he suffered massive heart problems. Some Italian media, CNN and Reuters had reported the pope has died, but those reports were unconfirmed.

From ABCglobal.com

By Vicki on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 01:57 pm:

I guess this is one of those things where a reporter or station is trying to be the first to report on something. Sad. To me, it shouldn't be reported until it is checked and rechecked.

By Boxzgrl on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 02:11 pm:

Fox News is saying he is unconscious.

By Jann on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 02:13 pm:

I hope he has a peaceful passing.

By Palmbchprincess on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 03:12 pm:

CNN is currently saying the Italian media was incorrect in reporting his death. I'm not even Catholic, but this has captivated me. Religion aside, he has been an amazing influence and ambasssador for peace.

By Colette on Friday, April 1, 2005 - 03:47 pm:

According to tradition, when a pope dies, the prefect of the papal household tells the chamberlain. That official must then verify the death, which has been done by striking the pope's forehead with a silver hammer.

The chamberlain would then tell the vicar of Rome of the pope's passing and the vicar would then inform the people of the city.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - 12:18 am:

Hmm, the media is based off of ratings. Unfortunately they do not properly confirm their information. They give it to us hap hazzardly and at will and whim. I think it is sad too because many people take their stories as gospel and base their lives and opinions off of what they hear and read from the media.

By Palmbchprincess on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - 02:09 am:

Here's the procedures for notifying the public of his death, electing a new Pope, etc. Papal Succession

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - 06:32 am:

From what I heard on KYW last night, the pope is in septic shock, which they say doctors describe as a painless shutting down of the organs, and this is apparently from the UTI that arose a few days ago. Which probably arose simply because his systems are shutting down.

Millions of people around the world are praying for this man, and he well deserves their prayers, and mine.

You are certainly right about the media, Bobbie. I try to find two or three sources to confirm really dramatic stuff and, thank heaven for the internet, one can usually get reliable information from the NY Times (forget CNN for reliability, imo) and Reuters. Drama is all for many TV and radio stations, and even newspapers, because drama brings ratings - but it sure doesn't help us when we want to know what is really happening. Thank goodness for sites like Snopes for debunking.

By Bellajoe on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - 08:18 am:

We were watching CNN last night. I really can't stand the media. You can just tell that they want to keep on reporting "from the Vatican" constantly because they want to be the FIRST to tell you he died. OH PLEASE! The Today show has Matt Lauer there too, just waiting for the Pope to die.

It's really pathetic. Of course i want to know when the Pope has died but it doesn't have to be immediately following his dying breath.

They were actually talking about who will the next Pope be, and funeral arrangements yesterday on CNN. Why can't they just let the man die first?

It is a very sad thing. We should all say prayers that the Pope goes comfortabley and with no pain.

By Palmbchprincess on Saturday, April 2, 2005 - 11:49 am:

On a complete sidenote, Ginny... I read your post and thought "KYW, news radio, 1060!" Stupid jingles, it's funny how they stick with you. I've given up on the news, other than an occasional CNN Headline briefing, but I have been watching Yahoo's homepage for the passing of the Pope.