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.