Vatican strongly denies Italian doctor's claims

From Catholic News Service:
Rome, Sep 28, 2007 / 12:07 pm (CNA).- "Vatican officials have strongly denied claims by an Italian doctor that John Paul II hastened his own death by “refusing” to accept nourishment through a feeding tube.

In an article Dr. Lina Pavanelli questioned the reasons for which John Paul II received nourishment from a feeding tube “only” starting on March 30, 2005, three days before his death. Pavanelli said the Pope clearly needed this treatment earlier. She claimed the Pope chose not to receive adequate nourishment in order to weaken himself and die in a sort of “assisted suicide.”

Vatican officials told the Associated Press that the Pope did in fact use a feeding tube before March 30 but that it was not made known officially until that day. They pointed out Pavanelli has not had access to the Pope’s medical records and that her accusations are based merely on media reports..." ( Continued here.)