Holy Father continues to improve, says Vatican

Vatican City, Feb 6, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Today at noon, Rome time, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, read a bulletin to journalists giving an update on the Holy Father's health.

"The Holy Father's condition continues to improve”, he said, “He no longer has a fever, eats regularly and spends several hours a day in an armchair next to his bed.”

"For obvious reasons of prudence,” the bulletin continued, “the Pope has been advised to remain at Gemelli Hospital for several more days. The next communiqué will be issued Thursday, Feb 10 at 12 noon."

After sharing the bulletin with journalists, Navarro-Valls noted that, "numerous get-well messages and letters continue to arrive daily for the Pope. Many people are offering up their sufferings for the Pope, who is keeping everyone in his prayers, as was mentioned yesterday during the Angelus.”

“The messages come from all over the world,” he said, “and many from within the hospital. Most are very moving."

Navarro-Valls added that the Pope has been saying daily Mass in his hospital room, “to which members of the medical staff are invited.” He also said that "the Holy Father glances at the newspapers to - as he says - 'follow the evolution of my health'."