anyone going in the next few weeks....

The Pope has the flu and Papal Audiences have been cancelled until he is well...at this point, no one knows, unfortunately, when that will be!

BC

To the hospital to visit? I don't know him that well.

What am I missing in this question?

a rhetorical question....but he is so frail this could be it, and may affect those traveling soon

My interpretation of it was that if anyone was going to Rome in the next few weeks with the expectation of attending either Papal Audience or the blessing in St. Peter's Square on Sundays might want to keep close tabs on media reports of the Pope's illness, or even contact the Vatican to see if the Pope will indeed be well enough to execute those duties soon.

BC

OK, thanks bookchick. I swear I read the title and post three times and couldn't figure out why someone would visit the Pope in the hospital. Guess I need to take a break for awhile!

Is he being hospitalized for the flu or is it something more serious?
He visited my hometown about 5 years ago and he seemed so frail then.
My children got to see him. No disrespect intended but my son(4 at the time) called him the "Poke". I always chuckle at that.
I hope he has a speedy recovery.

On CNN they said he has the flu, and made a point of stating that the Vatican refused to acknowledge whether or not he had received a flu shot. I thought that was kind of odd.

He looked very frail three weeks ago. Although, as I said in my trip report, he really did perk up for the Polish delegations. But his head was wobbling to his chest for much of the first part, and he was clearly having a difficult time reading (not in understanding the words, but in speaking aloud).

Breathing problems:

http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news...1807827432.htm

Here is a story on his health and being rushed to the hosp at 11pm without the knowledge of most of his staff:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...re_eu/pope_flu


Here is a story about him and the peace dove on Sunday, cute story and pictures:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...n_pope_peace_2

You're in your 80's, you have health problems, you get the flu... Of course you're going to end up in the hospital! It's probably turning into pneumonia. Gosh, there's a reason why nursing home beds and adult day care slots open up during flu season. I am truly sorry for this remarkable man, but I can't imagine it's unexpected.
Don't know why the Vatican has to shroud it in mystery!

When I took my first trip to Europe in 1980 I was in the audience when the Pope did the blessing. Back then he would walk through the crowds and touch hands w/people, as he was only 60 years old then and still quite fit. Of course, he quit doing that a year later when he was shot. The day I was there, he came toward me but I could not get close enough to touch his hands. However, I did get about 5 feet away and snapped a picture. I am not a Catholic, but it is still one of my greatest travel memories. I wish him well.

Reports state that there is a flu epidemic in Rome. Night time temps are below freezing.

Many older citizens have had flu shots but children have not and consequently the flu is rampant amoung children, about 40% of the children in Rome have the flu.

The Vatican will not state whether the Pope has had the flu shot or not.

They do not traditionally comment on the Pope's medications or health problems in general.

He must be very sick otherwise he would not be at the hospital.
He has at his service the best doctors in the world , if it was only the Flu ,like the Vatican announced, he surely would not be at the hospital now.
He is such a great person, a fantastic man of peace.
I must confess that when he became Pope I wasn't too thrilled about it because he wasn't Italian and after all the Pope is the Bishop of Rome.
However, after I saw how much he accomplished in such short time, I changed my mind 100%.
I pray for a speedy recovery.

kistmechimera, I think it is pnuemonia, not just the flu.

And he also has other health problems.

For those that care, prayers should be said.

I wonder who the new pope will be. I really don't like this pope, but it could be worse. I think the Catholic Church is in for an "annus horribilus," as Mrs. Q. would say.

Have a nice day,
John G.

LoveItaly, I am certain that many people around the world is praying for Him..He is just a Magnificent person , well loved and respected by many.
Lets hope for the best.

CNN has reported that a "source close to the Vatican" confirmed that the Pope did in fact get a flu shot in October.The Vatican has never confirmed that he in fact suffers from Parkinson's.

Dreamer2: The Vatican shroud it in mystery because they are so used to covering up all the misdemeanours, crimes, frauds and immoral acts committed within its walls over the years that it has just become second nature! They don't know how to tell the truth! (And I speak as someone who was brought up in a Catholic family)