Pope reads full address in sign of further recovery

IN A hoarse but relatively strong voice, Pope John Paul II read his full weekly address yesterday for the first time since he was treated in hospital earlier this month for breathing problems.

Over the past two weeks, the 84-year-old Pope has only been able to murmur a brief blessing at the end of the Angelus prayer, leaving an aide to read the longer text.

But in a sign that he is making a steady recovery from his sudden ailment, the Pope read out the whole message on Sunday, winning warm applause from the faithful in St Peter’s Square.