VATICAN CITY, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Pope John Paul II, who was hospitalized in Rome last week, will miss Ash Wednesday services for the first time in 26 years as pontiff.
The 84-year-old pope, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and other aliments, was rushed to Gemelli Hospital last week because of breathing problems and influenza and will not be released until at least Thursday, the BBC reported Tuesday.
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Cardinal James Stafford of the United States, the Vatican's No. 2 official, will preside at services at the Vatican on the pope's behalf.
The pope has been regularly saying mass for his physicians and nurses since his admittance to Gemelli Feb. 1, a Vatican spokesman said.
