Pope John Paul hospitalized with flu

ROME, Feb 1 (AFP) - Pope John Paul II, suffering from the influenza which has forced him to cancel his public appointments in the next few days, has been hospitalized "as a precaution," Italy's Ansa news agency reported Tuesday.
"John Paul II has been hospitalised this evening in Gemelli hospital as a precaution, given his physical condition due to the flu that he has had since Sunday," Ansa said, quoting authorised Vatican sources.
The 84 year-old pontiff's health is not a source of concern because, since late Sunday, he no longer had a fever, Ansa said. However the pope had a heavy cough, Ansa said.

02/01/2005 22:38 GMT - AFP