Sunday blessings only is Pope's Easter plan

The pope, recuperating from throat surgery, plans to give his traditional blessings on Easter Sunday but has tentatively delegated other Holy Week activities to top cardinals, the Vatican said today.

Officials acknowledged the schedule is vague, with much depending on when John Paul leaves hospital and on what his doctors advise.

After its latest medical bulletin, the Vatican said the pope will probably be discharged from the hospital by March 20, Palm Sunday, but that it was still unknown whether the pontiff can regain enough of his voice to address his faithful or take part in Holy Week ceremonies.

One of John Paul’s visitors at the hospital today, the Catholic leader in Russia, said the pope spoke to him, asking in a clear voice, “How are things in Moscow?”