Pope's health is improving
2005-03-07 14:14
Rome - John Paul II's condition "continues to improve," his spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said on Monday after leaving the hospital where the pope is recovering from surgery following breathing problems.
A decision on when the head of the Roman Catholic Church will leave Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic would be made by his doctors.
"His health continues to improve," Navarro-Valls said.
The pope has been in hospital since February 24, when doctors performed throat surgery to relieve the problems related to a severe bout of the flu.
The Vatican was to provide a full assessment of John Paul II's medical condition around 12.30pm (11:30 GMT) amid expectations that doctors are preparing to announce a date by which he will be discharged from hospital.
The pope made his latest brief appearance at the window of his suite at the Gemelli on Sunday, when he waved to pilgrims below and made the sign of the cross.
However, the fact that the 84-year-old Church leader did not speak in public will temper optimistic rumours that circulated late last week that he could be allowed to return to the Vatican sometime this week.
John Paul II, who is undergoing twice-daily therapy for his voice and breathing following his operation, appeared alert during his three-minute appearance on Sunday.