Vatican television shows footage of pope speaking

[Ian David]

Vatican television shows footage of pope speaking
41 minutes ago

ROME (AFP) - Vatican (news - web sites) television showed footage of Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II speaking at a mass, the first such images since he underwent throat surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 24.

The pope was shown sitting in an armchair before an altar and wearing a purple vestment, typical of the Lenten season, the ANSA news agency reported Friday.

People who saw the footage said the 84-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church looked reasonably well.



More:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050311/en_afp/vaticanpopehealth_050311150155&e=5

[DemBones DemBones]

1. The Mass was in the Pope 's hospital room.

(It was obviously a private Mass with the two Tanzanian prelates.)



"The video was taken of a meeting Friday with Tanzanian prelates in the pope's hospital room. He says a few words in a husky voice, including "va bene," Italian for "OK."

"The 84-year-old pontiff is shown seated during a Mass with the prelates. His voice reciting a prayer is barely audible."

"The two — Cardinal Polycarp Pengo and Bishop Severine Niwemugizi — are shown telling him in English that Tanzanians are praying for him and love him. He responded with the two Italian words. "

" The meeting was an indication that the frail pontiff was stepping up his activities before returning to the Vatican. The pope's doctors have extended his hospital stay "a few more days" but the Vatican said he still plans to return in time for the start of Holy Week that begins on Palm Sunday on March 20."


Viva il Papa!