Pope speaks at hospital Mass

ROME - The Vatican has released a video showing Pope John Paul speaking at a Mass in his hospital suite, the first time his voice has been heard in public since throat surgery last month.

The 84-year-old Pope murmured a blessing in a barely audible mumble at the end of the Mass, which was attended by senior Tanzanian clerics and filmed by a Vatican television station on Friday.

In a subsequent meeting, Tanzanian Cardinal Polycarp Pengo and Bishop Severine Niwemugizi are shown telling the Pope in English that Tanzanians are praying for him and love him.

"God bless you," the Pope replies in English, speaking in a stronger voice.

"Thank-you," Bishop Niwemugizi replies.

The Pope has been in hospital since February 24, when he underwent a tracheotomy to help ease severe breathing problems. He is having breathing and speech rehabilitation therapy and still has a tube in his throat to help air get to his lungs.

The Vatican said on Thursday the Pope would remain in Rome's Gemelli hospital for the time being, but would be back at the Vatican by start of Holy Week on March 20.

In the video the Pope is shown wearing purple Lenten liturgical vestments. At one point he rested his head on his hand and in another moment appeared to be in some discomfort as he shifted position in his chair.

The Pope is a long-time sufferer from Parkinson's disease and also has severe arthritis. He was rushed to hospital twice last month with breathing problems.

He has been seen at his hospital window three times since the February 24 operation and although the Vatican said he started talking less than a week after the surgery, Friday's video was the first time they had filmed him speaking.

- REUTERS