Pope has restful night

Pope John Paul spent a third restful night at the hospital treating him for the flu and respiratory troubles, the Vatican said today.

Officials said he could be fit enough to make his weekly address to the faithful from his Rome hospital room on Sunday.

Vatican radio said the 84-year-old pope was “in a stable condition” and was resting comfortably and breathing more easily at the Gemelli Polyclinic, where a team of doctors was monitoring him for any possible complications.

An official Vatican update on the pontiff’s condition was expected at midday.

The pope’s age and Parkinson’s disease make his flu more dangerous.