Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies) - All went well on the Pope's second night in Rome's Gemelli Hospital. He had been admitted there last Tuesday night for treatment of respiratory problems.
A second medical bulletin is scheduled to be released this morning on the Pope's condition, which Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro Valls, had described yesterday evening as "stable". In an interview with Vatican Radio, Navarro stated that there was "no cause for alarm" over the Pope's health condition.
Large numbers of get-well wishes have been arriving at the Gemelli Hospital from all over the world. In many countries, members of the faithful gathered spontaneously to pray for John Paul II's health. In the Philippines, Guadalupe, Kenya, as well as in London and many other places, Catholics prayed that the Pope have a speedy recovery.
Earlier, a message from the Pope was announced thanking the faithful for their "fervent prayers" on his behalf. Archbishop Franc Rod, prefect of the Congregation for Consecrated Life, relayed the Pope's message. "I bring you the greetings of the Pope, who thanks you for your affection and your fervent prayer," Archbishop Rode said during his homily as he celebrated Mass yesterday afternoon at St. Peter's Basilica for the Day for Consecrated Life.