Italy Suspends All Weekend Sports

Saturday April 2, 2005 2:01 PM

ROME (AP) - Italy's highest sport authority decided to suspend all weekend sport events on Saturday as a sign of respect for the seriously ill Pope John Paul II.

Gianni Petrucci, president of Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI), announced the decision, which affects Serie A soccer matches, a playoff deciding the Italian ice hockey title, basketball and volleyball league matches and amateur sports.

In an official statement, CONI said it had asked all national federations to immediately suspend all scheduled events over the weekend ``in view of the latest medical bulletins reporting ... the imminence of the Holy Father end.''

CONI's announcement came as thousands of people filled St. Peter Square to keep vigil as the pope neared death while all Italian media devoted full-time coverage and attention to reports from Vatican City.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4909025,00.html