Silent Pope blesses hospital crowd

ROME - Pope John Paul, silent but appearing in relatively good form, blessed crowds for a second straight Sunday from the window of the hospital where he was taken with breathing trouble 11 days ago.

Pictures of the frail, 84-year-old Pope were broadcast live from his hospital suite on large screens to the faithful at the Vatican where an aide gave his weekly Sunday blessing.

The Pope, wearing his traditional white cassock, sitting on an armchair and surrounded by aides and doctors, looked alert and rested. He moved his lips to join the prayer being said by the aide in St. Peter's Square and crossed himself.

He was later wheeled to the window of his 10th floor suite at Rome's Gemelli hospital. He blessed the crowd below several times and waved to cheering well-wishers.

The Pope appeared in much better form than he did during a similar appearance at the window last Sunday, which was the first time during his 26-year-old papacy that he failed to preside over the Sunday Angelus and pronounce the blessing.

The Pope, who also suffers from Parkinson's disease, has been in hospital since February 24, when he underwent throat surgery to help ease severe breathing problems. He received earlier treatment in hospital from February 1 to 10.

- REUTERS