Doctors have advised Pope John Paul to extend his hospital stay by “a few more days", but he will return to the Vatican by the start of Holy Week on March 20, his spokesman said today.

Catholics are awaiting possible word from the Vatican on whether Pope John Paul II could make a strong enough recovery to participate in ceremonies this month culminating in Easter, the most important date on the Christian calendar.

POPE John Paul II yesterday made the sign of the cross from the window of his hospital and greeted hundreds of faithful waiting in the courtyard below for the second Sunday since he was rushed back to the clinic with breathing trouble 11 days ago.

A frail Pope John Paul II reappeared today at a window of the hospital treating him for his latest health crisis, giving the world its second glimpse of him since he was rushed back to the clinic with breathing trouble 11 days ago.

The pope confounded sceptics who had his obituary ready to roll today when he ate a hearty breakfast and silently joked with aides only hours after undergoing surgery to ease another breathing crisis.

The Pope was spending his first full day back at the Vatican after emergency hospital treatment that left many wondering how he would continue in his papacy with such frail health.

The Pope will leave hospital tonight, the Vatican said, declaring the 84-year-old pontiff “cured” of the illness that landed him in a Rome clinic for 10 days and rekindled questions about his ability to carry on as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

THE Pope can still run the Catholic Church even if he is unable to speak, a senior Vatican figure claimed yesterday.

A senior Vatican official has responded to a sensitive question that many Roman Catholics have been asking: Would ailing Pope John Paul II ever consider stepping down?

SPECULATION increased last night that the Pope may consider resigning, as it emerged that he came within minutes of death last week.

The Pope came within minutes of death when he was rushed to hospital last week, according to new reports.

Pope John Paul II was strong enough to turn the pages of written greetings today and speak in a clear voice, according to an Italian bishop who called on him in his hospital room.

POPE John Paul is improving, eating regular food for the first time and anxious to recite his usual prayers for the public Sunday, the Vatican said yesterday.

Pope John Paul is improving, eating regular food for the first time and anxious to recite his usual prayers for the public Sunday, the Vatican said today.

Pope John Paul spent a third restful night at the hospital treating him for the flu and respiratory troubles, the Vatican said today.

Pope John Paul’s condition stabilised today after he was rushed to hospital with breathing trouble, but the flu-stricken pontiff will spend several more days at the clinic, the Vatican said.