Parkinson expert on Pope's medical condition

Описание: (2 Apr 2005)
Rome
1. Wide shot of Rome skyline, with the River Tigris in foreground, St Peter's basilica in background
2. St Peter's basilica

Vatican City
3. Pilgrims in St Peter's Square
4. Police
5. Man reading newspaper with front page carrying pope story

Rome
6. Set-up shot of Professor Nicola Mercuri
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Professor Nicola Mercuri, Parkinson expert at the European Centre for Brain Research:
"I suppose he is already in a coma. Coma means 'loss of consciousness' and the pope is not aware of himself for most of the time in this situation, according to what they say (tell) us. So it (there) might (have been) some light, some period of consciousness just yesterday night, but today the news is that he is not in a condition to think, so he is in a coma, he is already in a coma."
8. Cutaway hands
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Professor Nicola Mercuri, Parkinson expert at the European Centre for Brain Research:
"He might have a problem with blood pressure and for this reason the oxygenation of the brain is not perfect. And it (he) also has a problem with kidney functions. And considering this problem he has, I think his situation is very, very serious."
10. Cutaway hands
11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Professor Nicola Mercuri, Parkinson expert at the European Centre for Brain Research:
"We cannot make an estimation for this (how long the pope's health can last). I mean this situation can last even days or even also more than a month. I mean, it depends on... we have experience of a person who can stay in this situation for a really long time. So the problem is (with) the condition of his brain and also to estimate the possibility of resistance of his cardio-respiratory system. And I would also say his kidney function is very important for the period of existence."

Vatican City
12. Wide shot of St Peter's Square

STORYLINE:

Pilgrims and tourists filled St. Peter's Square on Saturday afternoon to keep vigil as Pope John Paul II nears death.

Earlier in the day, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said John Paul began showing the first signs of losing consciousness at dawn.

But he added that the pope wasn't in a coma and opened his eyes when spoken to.

In Rome, a medical expert said it appears the pope was indeed lapsing into a coma.

Parkinson's Disease specialist at the European Centre for Brain Research, Professor Nicola Mercuri, said: "Coma means loss of consciousness and the pope is not aware of himself for most of the time in this situation, according to what they say (tell) us".

He added: "Today the news is that he is not in a condition to think, so he is in a coma".

Professor Mercuri said he expected the pope might be suffering from low blood pressure, effecting the flow of oxygen to his brain, along with heart and kidney problems.

Despite the grim situation, Professor Mercuri said it was difficult to estimate how long the pope might hold out.

He said the 84-year-old pontiff could remain in such a condition for days, adding "we have experience of a person who can stay in this situation for a really long time".

Meanwhile, preparations appeared to be starting for the elaborate rituals that mark a pope's death.

Workmen in the square removed the canopy that had shaded the altar which had been on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica during Mass for Easter last Sunday.

One workmen said the space needed to be clear for a procession to bring the papal coffin after death.


The Vatican said the pope then suffered septic shock and heart problems during treatment for the infection.


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