Pope anxious to get back to work

Vatican City, Feb 10, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Pope is back home at the Vatican today after his release Thursday evening from the Gemelli hospital in Rome.

John Paul II rode in his famous Popemobile to much fanfare from supporters through Roman streets as he made his return journey.

Although it is unclear when the Holy Father would again be seen in public, the Vatican stressed that the 84-year old pontiff was “impatient” to get back to work.

Faithful will likely get a chance to see the Pope at the Angelus on Sunday, at which, it is reported that he would like to give his weekly reflection. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls commented on Thursday that, "the pope will look at his diary when he gets home and make the decision himself. He will also listen to the opinion of [Renato Buzzonetti], his personal doctor."

Many think that the next few days, as the Pope is away from the technology of the Gemelli Polyclinic, will be crucial in determining how John Paul II’s recovery is progressing.

Although, many have used the occasion of the Pope’s sickness to speculate on his possible retirement, it seems clear that the Vatican is showing no signs of the Holy Father leaving his post. One German daily, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the pope "will never resign. His faith, and his love for the public, will not allow him to."