VATICAN CITY, Feb 2: Pope John Paul's fragile health stabilized on Wednesday after urgent medical treatment for severe breathing difficulties, but the Vatican said he would have to remain in hospital for the time being.

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 overnight and was running a slight fever on Wednesday.

He added that the Pontiff would remain hospitalized "for a few more days", but stressed that he had never lost consciousness during the latest in a long line of health scares.

"I think everyone has to be calm because there is no reason for alarm today," said Navarro-Valls, himself a doctor. Italian Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia visited the Gemelli hospital later in the day and said the Pope was recovering. "He is improving, the doctors are optimistic," Sirchia told reporters as he left the institute on the outskirts of Rome.

Catholics around the world - from the Pope's native Poland to the Philippines - attended special prayer services and as evening fell in Rome, the faithful gathered in St Peter's Basilica for a Mass the Pontiff had been scheduled to celebrate.

The prayers were for a man who left a mark like few others in the 20th century, playing a leading role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, travelling the world and working tirelessly to revolutionise ties with other religions. -Reuters