The Associated Press, via USA Today, reports that Pope John Paul II was rushed to the hospital Thursday after suffering a relapse of the flu:
The 84-year-old pontiff was taken to Gemelli Polyclinic hospital after the return of flu symptoms Wednesday. He was hospitalized for "necessary specialized assistance and further tests," papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said.
The Vatican said the pope was taken to the clinic at 10:45 a.m. The Vatican played down the seriousness of the hospitalization, saying a patient of the pope's age is always at risk from the flu.
According to Reuters, The Pope was taken to Rome's Gemelli hospital for "specialist treatment and further checks:"
.He spent 10 days in the Gemelli earlier this month after suffering an acute breathing problem brought on by a bout of influenza. He returned home on Feb. 10 and the Vatican had previously said he was making a steady recovery.
"He had the same symptoms as last time, including fever and some breathing difficulties," a church source said, adding that an official medical bulletin was not expected until Friday morning
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