Vatican spokesperson says Pope’s appearance Sunday was ‘emotional for everyone’

The unplanned appearance of Pope John Paul II at his hospital window Sunday was a “surprise” and a moment that was “very emotional for everyone,” said Vatican spokesperson Joaquin Navarro Valls.

On Sunday, the Pope appeared for about two minutes at his window on the 10th floor of Gemelli Hospital, from which he gave his blessing to the people who had gathered in front of the hospital.

“It was a surprise for everyone. It was an action that the Pope had decided upon Sunday morning,” Navarro Valls said Monday during an interview on Vatican Radio.

"In fact, he knew that several people had gathered on the hospital grounds beneath his room,” he continued.

“Since he got up to spend a few hours in his chair, he decided that he wanted to make an appearance at the window,” said Navarro Valls.

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