Pope back at Vatican to continue recovery

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2005

ROME (AFP) — Pope John Paul II returned to the Vatican, ending an 18-day stay at Rome's Gemelli hospital during which he underwent throat surgery which leaves him breathing with a tube in his neck.

Looking tired and drawn, but in reasonably good form, the 84-year-old pope blessed and waved to hundreds of pilgrims who cheered and applauded as his cavalcade, flanked by police motorcyclists, wound its way through northern Rome and back to the Vatican.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said earlier Sunday he would "continue his convalescence" at home, in agreement with his doctors.

In scenes reminiscent of those which accompanied his previous, premature, discharge from hospital last month, pilgrims and hospital staff lined the avenue at the hospital's rear...