c. 1996 Religion News Service

VATICAN CITY _ There was an air of business as usual at the Vatican Monday (Oct. 7), despite the absence of Pope John Paul II, who underwent an examination and tests at a Rome hospital in preparation for scheduled abdominal surgery on Tuesday.

The 76-year-old pope, who is expected to have his inflamed appendix removed, entered the Gemelli teaching hospital late Sunday evening after a beatification ceremony in St. Peter’s Square and a private dinner with compatriot Cardinal Joseph Glemp, primate of Poland.

Papal physicians say the pontiff will require about four days of post-operative recuperation in the hospital.

In a terse statement, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls confirmed that the pope would undergo surgery Tuesday (Oct. 8) morning, though he did not indicate the precise nature of the procedure. Such vague pronouncements have in the past fueled speculation that surgery more serious than an appendectomy may be conducted.

The Vatican has denied that the pope has any serious illness, such as Parkinson’s Disease, a neurological order that may be causing trembling in the pope’s left hand, or the recurrence of a tumor that was removed in 1992.

The statement said the pope underwent”a routine examination”before celebrating a private Mass in his 10th-floor hospital suite with his personal secretary, Polish Monsignor Stanislaw Dziwisz.

Hospital officials said Monday that the pope was undergoing routine blood, urine and cardiovascular tests.

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church was driven by car from the Vatican to the hospital, where he was greeted by Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro and hospital physicians and staff. Dozens of journalists and photographers were held at bay by security officials, while hundreds of well-wishers packed the parking area.

After his Sunday homily, the pope said of his upcoming surgery:”This evening I will go into the hospital for an operation. I ask you to accompany me with your prayers.” An estimated 50,000 pilgrims packed the beatification ceremony to see John Paul put four martyrs _ from Ireland, Spain, Poland and Italy _ on the road to sainthood. Some of the pilgrims carried banners:”Krakow loves you, Holy Father,”read one. Another said,”Return to us soon, we need you.”A third read,”Long live the pope.” The operation, the pope’s sixth since 1981, will be led by Francesco Crucitti, the chief surgeon at Gemelli who has directed the pope’s surgery for 15 years. He will be joined by Attilio Maseri, director of cardiology and anesthesiologist Carrado Manni, both of Gemelli.

In 1981, the pope was shot in the abdomen and hand by a Turkish gunman in St. Peter’s Square. One month later he underwent an operation for an infection linked to his wounds. In 1992, a benign tumor that doctors said was on the verge of becoming malignant was removed from the pope’s colon. The pope dislocated his right shoulder in a fall in 1993, which required an operation, and he required medical attention in 1994 after dislocating his right thigh bone.

The pope’s 10th-floor room has been enlarged into a suite. Adjoining rooms include a small kitchen and chapel, and a laboratory with respiratory equipment, including oxygen, and an electrocardiogram unit.

Despite Rome’s preoccupation with the pope’s health _ newspapers and television reports were filled with information about the upcoming procedure _ the Vatican, publicly at least, gave the appearance of nothing unusual going on. The Holy See announced the appointment of new members to a committee on the Christian millennium and published information about upcoming celebrations and events.

MJP END HEILBRONNER