PRESS OFFICE ON HOLY FATHER'S FLU SYMPTOMS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 5, 1997 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration this morning:

"The Holy Father has a pharyngo-tracheitis which arose last evening, Tuesday, February 4, and is referable to an influenza syndrome.

"The Pope has been advised to rest in bed for several days.

"In any case, His Holiness intends, at 11 this morning from his study window, to greet the pilgrims who have gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Wednesday general audience.

"The audience scheduled for tomorrow with the president of the Spanish government, as well as that afterwards with the foreign affairs minister of Australia, have been postponed for another date."
OP/POPE HEALTH/NAVARRO-VALLS VIS 970205 (120)