Pope makes surprise appearance at his window

The Pope made a surprise appearance at a window of his apartment overlooking St Peter’s Square today, his first public appearance since being released from the hospital after throat surgery to ease a breathing crisis.

The 84-year-old pontiff appeared briefly to pilgrims who had gathered on the square on a day when the Pope typically greets the faithful in a weekly public audience. He made the sign of the cross and waved to several thousand pilgrims on the square on a mild March day.

The Vatican had said John Paul would skip the audience and had no plans to appear. He lingered no longer than a minute at the window.

The Pope was released from Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic hospital on Sunday after a two and a half week stay following surgery to insert a breathing tube in his windpipe. Vatican officials have said it will be up to John Paul’s doctors to decide whether and when to remove the tube.

John Paul, who also has Parkinson’s disease and crippling hip and knee ailments, is being closely monitored by his physicians, who are advising him on how much he can exert himself.