Italian press reports doctors want to submit Pope to more analysis

Vatican City, Mar 29, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Doctors from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where Pope John Paul II underwent a tracheotomy, want the Pope to return for a general examination, according to a report in the Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera.”

The paper quotes anonymous sources at the Gemelli who say the Pope should return to the hospital in order for doctors to examine the tube that was inserted to facilitate breathing.

The same sources say doctors also want to review the Pope’s diet, as well as the condition of his lungs.

The examinations would require the Pope spend several days in the hospital.

The paper claims Vatican officials have acknowledged the need for the Pontiff to return to the hospital.  The hospitalization would supposedly take place next week, but the paper says “the decision has yet to be made.”