POPE John Paul was in "very good" condition and spirits yesterday after a sudden fever that forced him to cancel a general audience had practically disappeared, the Vatican said.
"The Holy Father has improved from the indisposition that surfaced yesterday. This morning his fever has improved markedly," chief spokesman Dr Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters.
"The general condition is very good as are his spirits," the spokesman said. "We foresee that the Pope will rest for a few days."
Concern for the health of the 75-year-old Pontiff was raised on Wednesday when the Vatican abruptly announced that he would not preside at his weekly general audience less than two hours before it was due to start.
The Pope was well enough to leave bed on Wednesday night and celebrated Mass as usual yesterday morning in his private apartments, the spokesman said.
Dr Navarro-Valls said that if his condition was just as good this morning, the Pope would almost certainly go ahead with a beatification ceremony in St Peter's Square on Sunday.
The Vatican also announced yesterday the Pope would make a one-day pastoral visit to Tunis on April 14th.
Vatican sources attach great importance to the trip and say a main theme of the visit will be dialogue between Christians and Muslims and the Pope is also likely to address the question of Islamic fundamentalism.