Pope misses Ash Wednesday prayers for first time

ROMAN Catholic faithful prayed for Pope John Paul's recovery yesterday as he missed out on Ash Wednesday prayers that ushered in the solemn and sacred Lenten season for the first time in his 26-year papacy.

Though the Vatican says the 84-year-old pope's health continues to improve since he was rushed to hospital with breathing spasms and the flu, doctors persuaded him to prolong his stay to be on the safe side.

His eighth night in hospital passed calmly, the ANSA news agency reported.