Pope Taken To Hospital

2 February 2005 -- Pope John Paul II has been taken to a Rome hospital.
A Vatican spokesman said the pope had been taken to hospital last night suffering from breathing difficulties brought on by flu.

The spokesman said the pope was admitted to hospital as a precaution and is not in intensive care.

The 84-year-old pope -- who suffers from Parkinson's disease -- has been ill with flu since 30 January.

Earlier yesterday, the Vatican announced that it had canceled the pope's engagements for the next few days.

(Reuters/AFP/AP)