Pope John Paul II has recovered from his throat spasms and is expected to leave hospital later today, according to the Vatican.
Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said today the Pope was "cured" of the breathing crisis and that his general condition was continuing to improve.
The pontiff failed for the first time in his 26 years as head of the Roman Catholic Church to preside at yesterday's Ash Wednesday ceremonies starting the penitential season of Lent.
The Pope made his last public appearance in public on Sunday when he delivered the brief final words of the Angelus from the window of his apartment in Rome's Gemelli hospital.
The 84-year-old pontiff, who was rushed to the Gemelli last Tuesday with acute breathing difficulties prompted by a bout of flu, looked pale and tired.