Pope's medical crisis leaves questions about his future

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.

Parents hoisted children on their shoulders to watch and Romans let out hearty cries of Long live the Pope! As John Paul, in his white popemobile, left a Rome hospital last night.

His route took him across a floodlit St Peter’s Square and through the Arch of the Bells, one of the Vatican’s entrances.

In contrast to the hurried, late-night ambulance ride to the Gemelli Polyclinic as he lay in the throes of a breathing crisis on February 1, John Paul was taken home in full public view in his signature vehicle with see-through glass sides during the 10-minute drive, which was broadcast live on Italian TV.

The Vatican took pains to make him as visible as possible amid public talk - including by top cardinals – that the 84-year-old John Paul might well have to consider the rare step of resigning at some point as Parkinson’s disease continues to exact its toll on his health, his mobility and ability to speak.

By comparison, in 1996, when John Paul left Gemelli after an appendectomy, he walked out with a cane, embraced his surgeon in gratitude and left by limousine.

This time, sitting in his wheeled armchair that was slid into the popemobile by hydraulic lift, John Paul looked weary but occasionally raised his right hand in greeting.

Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the pope had recovered completely from the breathing crisis, which developed while John Paul was down with flu.

“When he gets back to the Vatican he will look over, and decide with his doctors, what his appointments will be,” Navarro-Valls said.

Many will be watching this Sunday to see if John Paul keeps his customary noon appearance at his studio window on St Peter’s Square.

Last Sunday’s appearance, from his hospital room window, provoked worry because the Pope’s very brief words were almost entirely inaudible.

On Monday Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who as secretary of state is the Vatican’s number two, said the hypothesis of a papal resignation should be left “up to the pope’s conscience.”