A weak Pope John Paul II made a surprise appearance at his Rome hospital window today, reassuring Catholics around the world as an aide at the Vatican presided for the first time at his weekly blessing.
Looking stiff and awkward, the 84-year-old Pope waved twice from the 10th floor window of the Gemelli hospital before aides wheeled his chair away.
Statement issued by Pope John Paul II
He appeared for about two minutes with the windows closed and made the sign of the cross towards a small group of people below, some of whom broke into tears when they saw him.
The Angelus prayer usually takes place wherever the Pope is at noon on Sundays. For John Paul to be elsewhere was a first in a 26-year-old papacy studded with startling records.
It was the first time the Pope had been seen in public since he was rushed to hospital on Thursday morning with acute breathing problems that necessitated a tracheotomy.
"I saw his hand raised. I'm telling you, I had faith. I'd been praying he'd come. The world still needs this Pope. I hope we'll see much more of him in the future," said Ms Laura Tosti, an Italian waiting outside, her eyes welling up with tears.
Minutes before the Pope appeared at the window, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri read his address for him in St Peter's Square and delivered a blessing that he stressed was "in the name of the Holy Father".
The Pope did not appear at the hospital until Archbishop Sandri had finished in the square - a decision clearly aimed at keeping the two events distinct.
In the message read by Archbishop Sandri, who is the Vatican's deputy secretary of state, the Pope thanked the world for its concern.
"I am close to those of you gathered in St Peter's Square," the message said.
"I thank you with affection and I feel spiritually close to you ... I ask you to continue to accompany me, above all with your prayers."
Archbishop Sandri told the faithful in St Peter's Square that the Pope, who is also afflicted by Parkinson's Disease, was "offering up his prayers and suffering for us and for the world".
Yesterday, Ansa news agency quoted hospital sources as saying his condition was satisfactory and that his blood tests showed no signs of infection. For a while after the tracheotomy, the Pope will not be able to speak at all and his voice may never be the same again.