Pope's Condition Improves; Might Lead Sunday Angelus

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 3, 2005 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II's general health conditions are positive, and he has not had a recurrence of the larynx spasms that prompted his hospitalization, says a Vatican spokesman.

Joaquín Navarro-Valls, director of the Vatican press office, published a statement today saying that "the Holy Father spent the night resting quietly" in Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome where he was taken late Tuesday with respiratory problems linked to the flu.

"The Holy Father's general and respiratory conditions show positive developments," the spokesman said.

"The acute laryngeal tracheitis is regressing and there have been no repetitions of the episodes of larynx spasm that were the reason for his being admitted to the hospital," he said.

Navarro Valls, who is also a medical doctor, visited the Pope again this morning in his hospital room.

As the spokesman left the hospital, he told journalists that "all is well" as the "laboratory results are satisfactory."

Asked when the Pope would leave Gemelli, the Vatican spokesman replied that "it will be the doctors who decide." "From my experience, I think this stay could be about seven days."

If the Pope continues to make steady progress, it is hoped that he will be able to lead the praying of the Angelus on Sunday from his hospital window, as he has done on previous occasions.

On several occasions, John Paul II has joked about the Gemelli hospital, calling it "Vatican III" -- Vatican I being the Pope's See, and Vatican II the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.