Pope John Paul II, 84, was read his last rites after he developed a high fever, caused by a urinary tract infection Thursday.

The urinary tract infection came one day after the pope was hooked up to a feeding tube.

At press time, CNN reported that the pope was responding well to treatment for the infection.

The pope was read the sacrament of the sick Thursday afternoon for the second time in his life. He received the anointment while suffering from gunshot wounds received in an assassination attempt May 13, 1981 in St. Peter’s Square, Rome.

“We have confusion between last rites and the sacrament of anointing of the sick,” said Jason Maus, office and facility manager of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. “The church does not have last rites anymore; that is a pre-1960s term.”

Maus said anyone who is seriously sick may receive the sacrament, not just those who are dying.

The Newman Catholic Center does not have any vigils or special prayer sessions scheduled at this time.

“We will do something if he dies, but not until then,” the Rev. Addison Hart said.

St. Mary’s Church also did not have any vigils planned, but Maus said he thought it would be a distinct possibility that there would be one. The decision on how the church would react to the pope dying would be up to Rockford Diocese.

Amanda Hudson, office of communications for Rockford Diocese, said nothing is scheduled yet, but she is expecting to hear more about special vigils and other events regarding the pope today. The diocese oversees catholic churches in an 11-county area in Northern Illinois.

The Rockford Diocese has given churches various prayers and guidelines through their magazine, The Observor.

“As a parish and catholic community, we need to pray for the Pope and have his conditions in the forefront,” Maus said.

One student was full of emotion, given the pope’s deteriorating health and the death of Terri Schiavo happening on the same day.

“I think it is amazing, crazy and sad,” said Jenny Everhart, a senior special education major. “I hope he gets better.”

How the pope is elected

After the pope dies, Cardinal Camerlengo assumes control of the church and all funeral preparations. After a 15- to 20-day period, a college of cardinals is assembled and goes into conclave.

The pope is elected by the cardinals through secret ballots while in conclave at the Sistine Chapel. Cardinals may vote several times before a pope is elected. The cardinals are not allowed access to the outside world during this time, Hudson said.

“Although cardinals do other duties for the church, their sole purpose is to elect a new pope,” Hart said.

For the pope to be elected, a two-thirds majority is required.

Unlike political elections in the United States, it is nearly impossible to predict the next pope, Hart said.

“In almost every case, the ‘front runner’ has not been the next pope,” Hart said. “It is conceivable, but highly unlikely a bishop who is not a cardinal could be elected pope.”