Vatican City, Mar 9, 2005 / 22:00 pm
In a statement this morning, Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls confirmed hopes that Pope John Paul II will return to the Vatican in time for Holy Week.
Navarro-Valls told assembled journalists that, "The Holy Father, accepting the advice of his doctors, will extend his stay in Gemelli Polyclinic by a few more days, in order to complete his convalescence which is progressing regularly.”
In addition to confirming the Pope’s return to the Vatican, Navarro-Valls indicated that this Sunday’s Angelus would "follow the same model as the two previous Sundays" in which the Holy Father made a brief appearance at his hospital window and gave a blessing.
The press office director added that the Pope continues to receive his collaborators, "with whom he follows the activity of the Holy See and the life of the Church.”