Pope has very high fever

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul is suffering from a very high fever caused by a urinary infection, the Vatican has said in a statement.

It said the Pope was receiving "appropriate antibiotic therapy".

The 84-year-old Pope has been convalescing from throat surgery for more than a month now and aides said earlier on Thursday he was disappointed by the slow pace of his recovery.

He underwent the tracheotomy on February 24 in Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he spent a total of 28 days in two stints in February and March.

Doctors yesterday inserted a feeding tube through the Pope's nose and into his stomach to try to boost his strength and help his recovery. He has had a breathing tube in his throat since the February 24 operation.

Vatican officials interviewed by Reuters earlier said they were increasingly pessimistic about the Pope making a full recovery from his ailments.

"Hardly anyone thinks the situation will improve but everyone is hoping for a miracle," said one official.

A senior cardinal said the Pope was nearing the end of his life.

- REUTERS