The health of Europe's longest-reigning monarch, Prince Rainier of Monaco, stabilised today while citizens prayed for him at an Easter mass in the tiny Mediterranean principality.
However, doctors warned that the condition of the 81-year-old Rainier, widower of film star Grace Kelly, was "still worrying" and said they remained extremely cautious about his prospects of survival.
Rainier is in intensive care in a Monaco hospital where he was taken suffering from a lung infection, complicated by cardiac and kidney problems. A health bulletin issued by his palace today said the prince was conscious though under sedation, while the deterioration of his vital functions had been halted.
"The state of health of his Most Serene Highness Prince Rainier III still remains worrying," said the bulletin, signed by the prince's three doctors.
"His cardiac, lung and kidney functions that were continuing to deteriorate have stabilised," it added. "The sovereign is conscious but under sedation, which allows him to tolerate absolutely indispensable respiratory assistance."
Rainer has been breathing through an artificial respirator at Monaco's Cardiothoracic Centre since Wednesday. Pope John Paul sent a message of support at the weekend.
Princess Caroline returned from Paris last week and heir-apparent Prince Albert (47) left an Italian ski resort to be by their father's bedside in the Mediterranean enclave his family has ruled for 700 years. Their sister Stephanie and Rainier's grandchildren have all been to see the prince.
Monaco citizens were keeping an anxious eye on the flag flying at full mast from the prince's palace, built on the coastal rock.