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Nelson Mandela Hospitalized In 'Serious But Stable' Condition

South Africans Pray For Nelson Mandela As His Condition Improves
A woman walks pass a lighted sign supporting former South African President Nelson Mandela at the shopping square named after the anti-apartheid hero April 1, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mandela, 94, is recovering from pneumonia in hospital, his third stay in the last four months. MandelaÕs lungs were damaged when he contracted tuberculosis during his 27 years in the infamous Robben Island prison. Mandela became the nationÕs first democratically elected president in 1994 following the end of apartheid. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nelson Mandela is described as being in "serious but stable" condition after being taken to a hospital to be treated for a recurring lung infection.

South Africa's former president is 94 years old and has been hospitalized several times in recent months. He has been particularly vulnerable to respiratory problems after contracting tuberculosis during his 27-year imprisonment under apartheid.

A statement from the office of President Jacob Zuma says Mandela it receiving expert medical care in the Pretoria hospital and "doctors are doing everything possible to make him better and comfortable."

Mandela has become more frail in recent years and last made a public appearance at the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament, where he didn't deliver an address and was bundled against the cold.

In late April, state television broadcast footage of visit by Zuma and other leaders to Mandela at his Johannesburg home. Zuma said at the time that Mandela was in good shape, but the footage showed him silent and unresponsive, even when Zuma tried to hold his hand.

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