Pope Speaks in Public for First Time in Weeks, Leaves Hospital

Pope John Paul II on Sunday spoke publicly, though briefly, for the first time in weeks and then left the hospital where he has been recovering since emergency surgery Feb. 24 raised fears about his health and ability to lead the Roman Catholic Church.

As night fell over the city, John Paul boarded a silver Mercedes minivan, made the sign of the cross, and then headed home to the Vatican where aides say he will resume his convalescence. His participation in Easter ceremonies remains uncertain.

During the 3 1/2 -mile ride from the Gemelli Polyclinic hospital to St. Peter’s Square, the pope, seated in the passenger seat of the van and dressed in white vestments, waved to thousands of onlookers, some chanting “Viva il papa!”

John Paul, who is 84 and suffers from Parkinson’s disease, was rushed to the hospital twice in February with severe breathing problems. He spent nine days there early in the month, was released and returned Feb. 24, when he underwent an emergency tracheostomy. A small hole was cut in his neck and trachea, and a tube inserted to assist breathing.

The trip home Sunday evening did not have the same theater of the earlier discharge, when he traveled from Gemelli with great fanfare in the glass- encased “popemobile.” Some of his aides felt he was too weak for such a show.

But neither was Sunday’s release staged outside the public eye.

Italian TV broke into regular programming to broadcast the return live, including images from inside the vehicle over John Paul’s shoulder, provided by an official Vatican cameraman. The interior light was left on to illuminate the pontiff.

For the noontime Angelus prayer Sunday, the pope spoke briefly from his hospital window to the crowd below. Reading from a paper in a hoarse, hard-to-understand voice, he thanked his followers for their presence and said a few words in Polish to pilgrims from his birthplace of Wadowice.

“Greetings in Christ,” he concluded in Italian. “A good Sunday and good rest of the week to everyone.”

The last time the pope spoke in public was Feb. 23, when he read a three-paragraph statement and greeted pilgrims in six languages. Even then, though, his appearance was broadcast from his private studio to St. Peter’s Square.

Aides of the increasingly incapacitated pope say he has been following a regimen of therapeutic exercises for his breathing and speaking.

However, for the first time in his 26-year papacy, John Paul has delegated nearly all Easter duties to cardinals and other senior prelates. It was important to the Vatican that the pope be home in time for the start of the Holy Week next Sunday, the most sacred period on the Christian calendar. But his participation in what can be a grueling series of services will be limited.

The pope’s declining health has led to speculation over whether he might retire, or if the end of his reign is nigh. He has repeatedly asserted that he will remain in St. Peter’s throne until his “last breath.” Cardinals who know him well say he remains resilient.

Earlier Sunday, the pope’s weekly prayer and message, read by another prelate, gave thanks to the media, especially television broadcasters and reporters, who pass on a message he no longer can deliver.

The message seemed especially appropriate since this once prolific pope, for whom speaking and writing have become difficult, must rely increasingly on second-hand means of communication.

“It is precious for me to remember that it is possible to feed one’s spirit also through radio, television and the Internet,” he said, praising “this new form of evangelization.”

“Thanks to their service, the faithful, in every part of the world, can feel me closer to them, and they can accompany me with affection and prayer.”