From Catholic Online (via CNS):
"Pope John Paul II was taken to a Rome hospital late Feb. 1 with severe breathing problems caused by an inflammation in his throat, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters in a statement issued at midnight.The pope, 84, came down with the flu Jan. 30.
About 10:50 p.m. Feb. 1 he was rushed to the Gemelli hospital for what Navarro-Valls called "acute laryngeal tracheitis and a crisis of laryngeal spasms."
When he arrived there he did not need intensive care treatment and was admitted to his 10th-floor room where he has stayed on previous hospital visits, Navarro-Valls said.
Because of advancing Parkinson's disease, Pope John Paul has chronic difficulty breathing, complicating the possible effects of the flu and the inflammation of his throat. Laryngeal spasms make breathing more difficult.
Navarro-Valls had announced earlier Feb. 1 that the pope had canceled scheduled meetings that day and his Wednesday general audience the next day. He said then that the flu was running its natural course.
In his final public appearance before he was hospitalized, the pope came to his apartment window overlooking St. Peter's Square to lead the Sunday noon Angelus Jan. 31. His voice was hoarse, but it did not stop him from greeting visitors in the square below."
The Pope has said, time and again, that his mind is still strong. I believe him, and will continue praying for his intentions and his continued health. He is such an inspiration to us all, and he is truly living an example of a Christ-like life. May he continue to bring Jesus Christ to the world!
UPDATE: The Pope seems to be doing much better now! I am sure he appreciates all the prayers:
"The pope had difficulty breathing as he battled the flu, the Vatican confirmed Wednesday, but it said tests showed his heart and respiration were normal and that the 84-year-old pontiff rested for several hours overnight.John Paul had “just a little fever,” papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said in elaborating on a terse medical bulletin issued by the Holy See."
Read the full story here.