Breaking news: Vatican source: Pope given last rites

VATICAN CITY — The health of Pope John Paul II (search) took another downturn on Thursday after he developed a high fever as a result of a urinary tract infection, his spokesman said. This development came one day after the 84-year-old pontiff began receiving nutrition through a feeding tube. Italian media, Reuters news service and other outlets reported that the pope has received his "Last Rites" — the Roman Catholic sacrament reserved for the sick and dying — but a Vatican spokesman told Reuters that he couldn't confirm those reports. Quoting Catholic "Church sources," Reuters reported it was likely the sacrament had been administered to the pope because of his rapidly failing health. The Catholic ritual involves anointing the ailing person with special oils. Currently known as the "Sacrament of the Infirm" since it is also now done for the gravely ill, it used to be known as "Last Rites" or "Extreme Unction" because it was reserved only for the dying in the past. Meanwhile, the pope was at the Vatican (search) receiving antibiotics, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told The Associated Press by telephone Thursday.