ROME, Vatican City, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- A bout of influenza resulted in Pope John Paul II being hospitalized Tuesday with what was described as acute respiratory infection, Vatican sources told CNN.
The Italian newspaper La Repubblica quoted the sources as saying the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalized as a precaution because of his poor health, but his immediate condition did not cause concern. John Paul II is also afflicted with Parkinson's disease in an advanced form.
The pope developed influenza Sunday and all his Monday engagements were canceled. Tuesday evening he was taken to the Gemelli Hospital in the center of Rome.
The frail 84-year-old was dismayed he would have to cancel his regular weekly audience Wednesday, papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said. The pope hasn't missed hosting one of the audiences since September 2003.
