Papal Health Update

"Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls today released the following declaration to journalists concerning the health of the Pope:

"'The health of the Holy Father John Paul II continues to improve and show progress.

"'As previously stated, the Pope is eating regularly and spends several hours each day in an armchair.

"'The surgical wound is healing.

"'The daily sessions for rehabilitation of breathing and speaking continue, with the active collaboration of the Holy Father.

"'The next bulletin will be issued on Monday, March 7 at 12:30 p.m.' (Rome time)

"Navarro-Valls added: 'In recent days the Pope has been receiving several of his collaborators with whom he daily follows the activity of the Holy See and the life of the Church. He usually receives one collaborator a day.'

"Later, meeting briefly with the media, the press office director said that no date had been set for the Pope's release from Gemelli hospital but underscored that the next medical bulletin will be on March 7.

"Asked about the Vatican's liturgical schedule for Easter, he said: 'The Easter calendar is the same, but the Pope will have to decide on his participation.'

"Regarding the Angelus on Sunday, March 6, Navarro-Valls said it seems 'there will be the same scenario as last Sunday. I will confirm, this on Saturday but when we spoke of it today at the hospital, this seemed the orientation.'

"Last Sunday, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri read the Pope's reflections and led the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square, following which, in a surprise move, the Pope appeared at the closed window of his hospital suite."

(from the Vatican Information Service)