Pope's failing health overshadows Lourdes visit
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Pope John Paul II delivered a strong pro-life message during open air mass at the shrine to the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, the highlight of a two-day visit which again saw his failing health betray him.
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While the Vatican expresses optimism Pope John Paul II will rebound from his latest health crisis, outside medical experts give a grimmer longterm view, saying the pontiff's Parkinson's disease puts him on the path of a steady &#151; and perhaps rapid &#151; decline.
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LORETO, Italy -- A frail Pope John Paul II put three more Roman Catholics on the road to sainthood during a visit to a hilltop shrine yesterday, struggling at times but cheered on by 200,000 pilgrims.
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Pope John Paul, his voice still  weak, delivered his first Sunday blessing since leaving  hospital last week and through an aide thanked the world for  praying for his recovery.
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Pope John Paul was rushed to  hospital with breathing difficulties on Tuesday night after a  bout of influenza suddenly worsened.
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Pope John Paul's age and the debilitating effect of Parkinson's disease are the main factors influencing his health and make him more vulnerable to infections and breathing problems, medical experts said.
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The frail 84-year-old pontiff, who appeared weak during a trip to Lourdes, France, three weeks ago, arrived by Italian military helicopter from his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, for the ...
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LOURDES, France  - A sick man among the sick, Pope John Paul struggled through Sunday mass at a French shrine that draws desperate people seeking miracle cures. The 84-year-old pontiff gasped, trembled and asked aides for help during the 2&#189; hour service in sizzling heat.
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Those caring for him at a Hindu monastery in Wales say he symbolizes the sanctity of all life and is an inspiration to temple-goers. Officials say he could have a contagious disease and should be put down.
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Pope John Paul II will give his traditional blessing at midday Sunday from the hospital where he is being treated for the flu and breathing troubles, but an aide will read out the weekly Angelus prayer, the Vatican announced Saturday.
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Pope John Paul II's doctors were on guard for complications Wednesday, a day after the frail, 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalized with the flu and breathing trouble.
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Pope John Paul will remain in  hospital until at least Thursday as a precautionary measure  though his overall health continues to improve, the Vatican  said Monday.
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France&#39;s Roman Catholic Church has reported a 1.3m-euro deficit ($1.6m) from a visit by the Pope to the southern shrine of Lourdes.
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Pope Benedict XVI had said earlier that his visit to Austria was aimed partly at showing ârepentance.â
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The BBC's Emma Jane Kirby has a crisis of faith when visiting the Catholic pilgrimage site of Lourdes.
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An ailing Pope John Paul II is to miss Ash Wednesday services for the first time in his 26 years as pontiff.
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A very frail looking Pope John Paul II referred to his last visit to Malta when he walked on the footsteps of St Paul whiel speaking during a video conference at the International Priests Convention being held ...