Pope's Death

According to the bbc world service website, the old man had a "influenza episode".

According to the Beeb:

"Pope John Paul II is taken to hospital after falling ill with influenza, Vatican sources say."

He'll probably pull through then.... hopefully....

I wouldn't be that sure, influenza is more serious than a regular flu though

Influenza is flu!! That's what it's short for!

Love the idea of a Pope Ticker! Will they have a puff of smoke come out of the top of the Tower when he conks it?

Thing is though, he's been dead years. Its all done with animatronics!

Whenever the Pope does die, whether its soon or not, what sort of coverage would we expect on British television, ie the terestrial channels and off course the News channels?

Haven't all the channels got rooftops and balconies booked for the best vantage points for all the ceremonies and the Papal Conclave?

Rather pointless Sky News having Glen Oglaza live outside Westminster Cathedral - which of course is closed at this time of night, so it's not as if there is anyone there to talk to or anything.

Meanwhile ITV News kept promising live updates through the night, but of course they are running their usual recorded service.

I can't take this too seriously really, every 6 months or so there's a Pope health scare and everyone rushes round getting tapes ready... and he pulls through.

He's a bit like the Queen Mother, I reckon he's got another decade in him at least (although havng said that he'll probably be gone by the morning now!)

That's not unusual for any TV station.... how would they fill up the news without pointless live reportss?

True enough - but some are more pointless than others. Especially in the middle of the night.

Here is a piece from the Guardian from back in 2001 on the efforts of the networks to secure the best apartments, terraces and vantage points for coverage when the time comes:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4170876,00.html