Pope home from hospital
Pope John Paul II went back to his apartment in the Vatican last night, after nine days in the Gemelli hospital. Reports say he looked well as he travelled in his illuminated popemobile waving to crowds that lined the streets. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said: "The laryngo-tracheitis which required the urgent hospitalisation of the Holy Father, has been cured. "The improvement in his overall condition is progressing well. In the last two days, all the diagnostic checks, including a Cat scan, have allowed us to exclude other illnesses," he said. He said the Pope will now send a letter of thanks to all those who had helped him recover. Throughout Lent the Pope will not have many public engagements and is expected to use the six weeks to regain his strength for Easter. Source: BBC/VIS