Pope clears schedule for coming days as flu takes a grip

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2005

VATICAN CITY (AFP) — The Vatican said that Pope John Paul II had cancelled all his public appointments in the coming days because of the "progression" of his flu.

"As expected there is a continuing progression of the flu which has affected the Holy Father," Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said, confirming the cancellation of the 84-year-old pope's weekly general audience on Wednesday.

"In consequence, his appointments scheduled for the coming days have been postponed. In particular, the general audience will not take place tomorrow," he said in a statement.

"At this state I naturally can't predict whether it will be a matter of a day or three days. Logically, it will be short-term deferrment," the papal spokesman later told Vatican radio.

The...