Pope improves, anxious for public appearance, but Vatican cautious

POPE John Paul is improving, eating regular food for the first time and anxious to recite his usual prayers for the public Sunday, the Vatican said yesterday.

But the Holy See held back from saying how he would deliver his weekly remarks. The Vatican's latest medical bulletin gave few details on the flu and respiratory troubles that led to the 84-year-old pontiff being rushed to hospital four days ago, although papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the decision not to issue another bulletin until Monday was a positive sign.

"The state of health of the Holy Father has improved," he said.

Despite the reassuring tones, there were indications the Vatican was being cautious about when the frail pontiff may resume his regular activities.

Navarro-Valls has suggested John Paul may spend a week in Rome's tightly guarded Gemelli Polyclinic.

The Vatican dashed hopes the Pope might address a gathering of seminarians at the Vatican today by a hook-up from his tenth- floor room in the hospital.

An emissary will read a speech in the Pope's name.

Navarro-Valls did stress, however, the Pope's Sunday appearances when he recites noon prayers and reads a message are particularly important to John Paul, saying: "It is something he doesn't want to miss."

He said the Vatican would say today exactly how it would be carried out.

On Sunday, the Angelus will be broadcast on a giant screen in St Peter's Square.