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Posted on Fri, Mar. 11, 2005 Pope speaks for first time since surgery VICTOR L. SIMPSON Associated Press VATICAN CITY - Giving reassurances that ailing Pope John Paul II is improving, the Vatican released a video Friday with the pontiff speaking a few words in a husky voice - the first time he has been heard publicly since a throat operation last month to help him breathe. The two-minute video was taken of a meeting with Tanzanian prelates in the pope's 10th floor suite at Gemelli Polyclinic. His photographer also was present and several doctors were nearby. John Paul said a few words, including "va bene" - Italian for "OK." As the prelates left, he said, "God bless you" in English. The 84-year-old pontiff, in purple vestments, is shown seated during a Mass with the prelates in the small chapel in the suite. His voice reciting a prayer is barely audible and he appears drawn. 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. Until Friday, the pope has appeared three times at his hospital window but did not speak, raising concerns about his ability to communicate to the faithful. He has Parkinson's disease, which makes speaking difficult because of muscle problems. Several cardinals, however, have said the pope has spoken to them during working meetings at the hospital. Friday's encounter with the African prelates was an indication that the frail pontiff was stepping up his activities before returning to the Vatican. 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, March 20. The Vatican also released a message the pope handed to the bishops, urging them to resist programs linking economic aid to the promotion of sterilization and contraception and reaffirming the view that sexual abstinence outside marriage is the surest way to limit the spread of AIDS. "While I regret that I cannot receive you in the Vatican at this time, nevertheless I gladly welcome you," the message said. "I greet you all from the Gemelli hospital, where I offer my prayers and my suffering for you." Francesco Storace, the president of Rome's Lazio region, visited the hospital earlier Friday and said he was assured by John Paul's aides that the convalescence was going well. He said he was told "the pope is doing well and will get out soon." Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Thursday that extending the hospital stay was not a sign of problems, noting that the Vatican's latest medical bulletin said the pope's convalescence was "progressing regularly." He told reporters there was nothing in particular that was being done for John Paul at the hospital that could not be handled at the Vatican. The next medical bulletin is scheduled for Monday. Navarro-Valls said John Paul would make another appearance at a hospital window on Sunday, but that it was not known whether his voice would be strong enough to greet the faithful. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and culminates with Easter a week later. The Vatican has said the pope plans to give his traditional Easter Sunday blessings, his only commitment so far. The pope has delegated various cardinals to preside at the events but has not named anyone for the Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum on Good Friday evening, an indication he may want to appear himself. John Paul has been recovering from surgery to insert a tube into his windpipe to help him breathe. He has been undergoing breathing and speech therapy, the Vatican says. Navarro-Valls said doctors will decide whether and when to remove the tube. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/hjtSRD/3MnJAA/i1hLAA/wpWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> "[M]y ministry is that of servus servorum Dei." --Pope John Paul II (Ut Unum Sint, no. 88) "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." --Matthew 16:18 Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Pope-John-Paul-II/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
