Pope's health improves steadily

[emad]

Reuters
Thu Feb 3, 2005 12:51 PM GMT

By Philip Pullella and Antonella Cinelli

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul is making a steady recovery from flu and breathing difficulties and should be able to leave hospital next week, the Vatican says.

In a brief statement on Thursday, it said the 84-year-old Pontiff had spent a peaceful second night in Rome's Gemelli hospital, that his throat ailment was "in regression" and that he had not suffered any further spasms.

"The Holy Father's general condition and his respiratory condition are evolving positively," the statement said.

The frail leader of the world's Roman Catholics, who came down with influenza at the weekend, was rushed to hospital on Tuesday after suffering a momentary blockage to his breathing.

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