Sick Pope misses his first Ash Wednesday prayers

Ailing Pope John Paul II will miss out on today’s Ash Wednesday prayers that usher in the Lenten period – a first in his 26-year papacy.

Although the Vatican says the 84-year-old Pope’s health continues to improve since he was rushed to the hospital on February 1 with breathing spasms and the flu, doctors have persuaded him to prolong his stay to be on the safe side. His eighth night in the hospital passed calmly, ANSA news agency said early today.