THE DEATH CERTIFICATE OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II

VATICAN CITY, APR 4, 2005 (VIS) - Following is the official death certificate for Pope John Paul II, released yesterday by the Holy See Press Office:

"I certify that His Holiness John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla) born in Wadowice (Krakow, Poland) on May 18, 1920, residing in Vatican City, and a Vatican citizen, died at 9:37 p.m. on April 2, 2005 in his apartment in the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City because of:

- septic shock.
- irreversible cardio-circulatory collapse.

"In a person also affected by:

- Parkinson's disease.
- progressive episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency and a consequent tracheotomy.
- benign prostate hypertrophy complicated by urosepsis.
- hypertensive cardiopathy and ischemia.

"The ascertainment of death was effected by means of an electrocardiogram which lasted 20 minutes.

"I declare that the causes of death, according to my science and conscience, are those indicated above.

"Vatican City, April 2, 2005

"Director of Health and Hygiene of Vatican City State
"Dr. Renato Buzzonetti"
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