Pope makes appearance at hospital window (tradition, church, pray, blessing)

[Scott1]

OME (AFP) - A frail looking but alert Pope John Paul II made a 10-minute appearance at his hospital window and gave a brief wave to hundreds of pilgrims below as an aide read out the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer.

The 84-year-old pontiff, who was seated, then performed the brief traditional blessing, though he recited the words in a barely audible voice.

In a message read out by the Vatican (news - web sites) deputy secretary of state, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, the pope said he was "continuing to serve" the Roman Catholic Church from his hospital bedside.

"Even here in hospital, surrounded by other sick people, to whom I send my affectionate thoughts, I continue to serve the Church and the whole of humanity."

Despite the chill weather, the pope remained at the open hospital window for the 10-minute duration of the Angelus, as the prayer and message read by Sandri was relayed to pilgrims in St Peter's Square.

"The fact that the pope showed himself today augurs well for the future. That means that we can feel reassured. It's a good sign," said Monsignor Francesco Lambiasi of youth group Catholic Action, outside the Gemelli hospital in Rome.

In the message he was too weak to read himself, the pope thanked "from my heart" the doctors and nurses who have been keeping him under intense medical surveillance since he was rushed to the Gemelli hospital last Tuesday with severe respiratory difficulties.

"I send all of you, dear brothers and sisters, and to all those in every part of the world are close to me, recognition of the sincere and heartfelt affection, which in recent days I have felt in a particularly intense way."

Susan Giambrone, a Scottish-born Presbyterian, from Auburn in Alabama, said she had come to the hospital because "my grandmother had Parkinson's and I think it's very important to be here and support him because he still has his mind."

Her Catholic friend, Leigh Allbrook, said they had decided to go to St Peter's Square when they heard a rumour the pope might appear at his window.

"His body's weak but his mind is still very strong," he said.