ROME, Vatican City, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Hospitalized Pope John Paul II was well enough early Wednesday to say mass with his private secretary in Rome, the BBC reported.
The 84-year-old pontiff was rushed by ambulance to Rome's Gemelli Hospital with breathing difficulties Tuesday night after a bout of influenza suddenly worsened.
"Today there is no reason to be alarmed," spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said, adding that John Paul never lost consciousness.
Vatican sources said a contingency plan was already in place for the pope to be taken to the hospital if he fell victim to the current flu epidemic sweeping Italy. A set of rooms is always reserved for him on the 10th floor of the hospital.
Tuesday, the Vatican said the pontiff had canceled his public and private meetings for the next few days, including his general audience Wednesday, due to a bout with influenza.
A source close to the Vatican confirmed to CNN that the pope received a flu shot before the flu season began last fall.
