Vatican City, Feb 3, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls told journalists today that the “state of the Holy Father’s health has improved.” He also added that the Pope is now eating regularly and proceeded to read a statement on the current situation.
He said that, "the instrument and laboratory exams confirm the stabilizing of the clinical picture” and "in light of the favorable evolution of the respiratory pathology, a new communique will be released on Monday, February 7 at 12 noon."
Navarro-Valls added that, "tomorrow afternoon, the Pope will follow on television from his hospital room the ceremony for the feast of Our Lady of Trust, patroness of the Roman Major Seminary, which will take place in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican.”
The speech prepared by the Holy Father will be read by the substitute of the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri.”
"As to the Angelus prayer on Sunday,” Navarro-Valls said, “it is well known that this is an appointment that is very dear to the Holy Father and one which he does not want to miss. Tomorrow I will be able to be more precise regarding the manner in which the Marian prayer will be recited."