Vatican City, Feb 1, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul's health is improving and doctors are optimistic about his recovery, Girolamo Sirchia, Italy's health minister said this afternoon.
Sirchia, a doctor who visited the Holy Father at Rome's Gemelli hospital said that “the medical bulletin that has been released (by the Vatican) is absolutely truthful."
The Vatican said earlier the Pope's condition had stabilised after he was rushed to hospital on Tuesday with acute breathing problems.
“We are more optimistic today than yesterday,” Sirchia also told the journalists.