Recovering Pontiff Gets Go-Ahead to Broadcast Traditional Noon Prayer
Pope John Paul II’s doctors said Saturday that his recovery from intestinal surgery is progressing well, and the pontiff was given the go-ahead to do a radio broadcast today from his hospital room.
Three days after his operation to remove a bowel tumor described as benign, the 72-year-old Pope had no fever, doctors at Gemelli Hospital reported Saturday.
Dr. Luigi Ortona, who heads the hospital, said the Pope was no longer taking sedatives or antibiotics.
The latest medical bulletin said John Paul was able to walk around his room and sit up in an armchair.
Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro and the hospital said the Pope was pronounced well enough to recite his traditional Sunday noon Angelus prayer to the public via Vatican Radio.
Navarro said he didn’t know if the transmission would be live or recorded.
Last Sunday, John Paul stunned the crowd in St. Peter’s Square when he gave the first word that he was being hospitalized later that day for tests.
The doctors said the Pope was expected to remain in the hospital for about 10 days.
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