Pope’s condition stable: Vatican

Pope John Paul’s fragile health stabilised on Wednesday after urgent medical treatment overnight for severe breathing difficulties, but he will have to remain in hospital for the time being, the Vatican said.

Chief spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the 84-year-old Pope, who was rushed to Rome’s Gemelli hospital late on Tuesday, had needed help with his breathing and was running a slight fever on Wednesday. He added the Pontiff would remain hospitalised ‘‘for a few more days’’, but stressed he had never lost conciousness.

Later, the Vatican said the Pope named a number of new bishops from his hospital bed.

The Vatican also announced the appointment of several cardinals to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, notably the Patriarch of Venice, Angelo Scola, 63, and the Archbishop of Genoa, Tarcisio Bertone, 70. Both are seen as possible successors to John Paul II.