ROME, Feb. 10 -- Pope John Paul II returned to his Vatican City palace in his glass-encased popemobile Thursday night after spending 10 days at a hospital recovering from breathing problems brought on by influenza.
His vehicle traveled the two miles from Gemelli Polyclinic hospital to the Vatican surrounded by Italian motorcycle police. The pope was clearly visible in the transparent cab mounted on the back of a white truck and could be observed speaking with animation. Several hundred onlookers along the road waved, and some shouted, "Long live the pope!"
The papal motorcade, with John Paul in the popemobile at rear, enters St. Peter's Square as the pontiff returned to the Vatican after 10 days in a hospital for breathing problems.
(AP Photo)
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Hours earlier, the Vatican spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, had described the 84-year old pontiff as "healed" of the illness that some had feared might kill him by aggravating his advanced symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
John Paul was hit by the flu on Jan. 30. He was rushed to the hospital two days later gasping for breath and was admitted to a special 10th-floor suite. While convalescing there, he underwent a CT scan. Navarro-Valls said Thursday that the scan had ruled out other illnesses.
The pontiff will rest inside the Vatican for an unspecified period, officials there said. No immediate public appearances are scheduled, although normally he would appear at his apartment window on Sunday to deliver his weekly homily and a blessing. The season of Lent that precedes Easter is traditionally a time for reflection and seclusion and offers the pope respite from public activities.
Popes have rarely resigned. However, modern medicine's ability to prolong life in the face of mental and physical decline made resignation a topic of public comment among Catholic officials during John Paul's hospital stay.
This week, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican secretary of state, said it was up to "the conscience of the pope" whether to step down. Soon after, another senior prelate, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, said it was in "bad taste" to discuss the option. Cardinal Jorge Mejia, a longtime associate of the pope's, said it would be "desirable and prudent" if the pope had drafted a resignation letter in case he became incapacitated.
John Paul, in several statements, has indicated that he believes his mission is to serve as pope until he dies.
