Italy: Italy's political parties halted all election campaigning for weekend regional polls out of respect for Pope John Paul's deteriorating health, but the elections themselves will go ahead as planned.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and opposition leader Romano Prodi told their supporters to suspend all political rallies after the Vatican announced the ailing Pope had suffered heart failure and was in a "very grave" condition.
"The prime minister, considering the serious state of the pontiff's health, urges all political forces to abstain from any electoral rally," Mr Berlusconi's spokesman said.
Mr Prodi said the halt to electioneering was "a sign of profound and heartfelt respect for the Holy Father and as a silent expression of hope and good wishes for his health".
Moving to quash rumours that the regional elections might be postponed because of the Pope's health, Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu said a postponement of the polls was out of the question. Italy votes tomorrow and Monday in regional polls which are a test for whether Mr Berlusconi's centre-right coalition can retain power in a general election expected in 2006. Politicians vying for regional presidencies had planned to hold closing campaign rallies later yesterday.
Journalists at two Italian TV channels complained management made them stop a report on the Pope's failing health on Thursday night while Mr Berlusconi was speaking on another channel.
Reporters for state broadcaster RAI's TG3 newscast said they were forced to stop a live report on the Pope. At Mediaset, controlled by Mr Berlusconi's family, journalists at TG5 criticised their channel for not breaking in with the news.
Mr Berlusconi controls most Italian TV through his position as prime minister and through Mediaset.