Vatican City, Feb 1, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Today while presiding at a Mass for the annual Day for Consecrated Life, Archbishop Franc Rode, prefect for the Congregation for Consecrated Life, relayed a message from the Pope John Paul II thanking those who have been praying for his health.
The Pope was taken to the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome late Tuesday evening for complications stemming from his recent bout with the flu, where he currently stays.
The Archbishop said to those gathered that, "I bring you the greetings of the Pope, who thanks you for your affection and your fervent prayer." He also conveyed the Pope’s greetings and blessing.
The Holy Father was originally scheduled to celebrate the Mass for the Day for Consecrated Life himself before the flu caused him to temporarily cancel all of his engagements.