Pope John Paul II’s condition is worsening. Marc Thiessen’s piece in NRO, “The Blessed Sounds of Silence,” is a beautiful tribute.

Update: The Pope has been given “last rites” (or rather, the sacrament of anointing the sick). From CNN…

VATICAN CITY (CNN) — Pope John Paul II was given the last rites of the Roman Catholic Church late Thursday night as his health deteriorated, a Vatican source has told CNN.

The pope is suffering from a high fever caused by a urinary tract infection, the Vatican confirmed Thursday — one day after revealing he had been put on a nasal feeding tube for nutrition

The pope is taking antibiotics, a Vatican spokesman said.

Update II: Stabilized?

Update III: Heart failure.
***
Related:

Parallels seen in pope, Schiavo cases
Common Ground: Pope John Paul II and Terri Schiavo