Tadić, Koštunica visits patriarch, Pope sends message

29 November 2007 14:47 -> 14:58 Source: B92, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- President Boris Tadić and PM Vojislav Koštunica Wednesday visited Patriarch Pavle in hospital.

The 93-year old head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) is receiving medical treatment at the Military Medical Academy (VMA) in Belgrade.

The two top state officials visited the patriarch immediately after returning from the three-day negotiations on Kosovo's future status, that ended without progress in Austria.

The health of the patriarch, who has been hospitalized for three weeks, has improved slightly, but is still very serious, doctors said earlier on Wednesday.

The Serbian Orthodox Church said in a statement that the patriarch had continued receiving visitors and blessing all those concerned about his health.

Thursday, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has sent a message of support to Patriarch Pavle wishing him speedy recovery, Tanjug learned from the Holy See Press Office.

"I have been informed of your delicate state of health, and herewith I want to express my brotherly and spiritual closeness with you at this moment of temptation," the Pope said in the message.

"In expressing my best wishes for your speedy recovery, I will remember you and find a special place for you in my prayers," Benedict XVI said.

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