Pope Leaves Hospital under Careful Watch of Doctors

Pope John Paul II has left hospital and has returned home to the Vatican on Sunday 13th March. Although he has been released from the Rome hospital, the Pontiff remains to have doctors, in shifts, constantly taking care and carefully watching over him.

In addition, an anaesthetist is on call near the Pope’s apartment, and the medical room, which has been designed next to the Pope’s room, has been upgraded, said Vatican Affairs Correspondent Gerry O'Connell.

O’Connell added, "So with this kind of back-up, he will begin to do his work."

However, it is still not clear as to what kind of work or how much the Pope will be able to undertake.

The Pope has returned home in time for Holy Week, which runs 20-27 March and is adamant that he will perform the traditional blessing for Easter Sunday. However, the Pontiff’s role in a majority of the Easter ceremonies has been delegated to other senior cardinals.

O’Connell announced, "He hasn't handed over his fundamental role of Pope to anybody but he delegates quite a few functions."

The Vatican decided today (Monday), not to issue a health update on the Pope, as they announced that the health crisis was now over.

Pope John Paul II left the Gemelli Polyclinic hospital in a grey Mercedes minivan and waved to the crowds as he left.

Just hours before he was released, the Pope came to his hospital window and made his first public statement since being admitted to hospital for surgery on 24th February.

He said, "Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for your visit. To everyone, have a good Sunday and a good week."

The Pope’s latest stay in hospital is his second within weeks of each the first. Previously in February, Pope John Paul II was admitted to the same hospital with the flu, which was more of a concern due to his old-age as well as being complicated by Parkinson’s disease.

Many have been calling for the Pope to resign due to his deteriorating health, and have called into question his ability to lead more than 1-billion worldwide Catholics. However, support for the Pope has been just as prevalent over the past weeks – with hundreds of people gathering outside the Rome hospital to support and well-wish the popular Roman Catholic leader.