Pope John Paul unexpectedly appeared twice at his hospital window today to greet pilgrims who had turned up hoping for a Papal blessing.
The 84-year-old Pope, who is recovering from throat surgery, normally holds a general audience on Wednesdays, but the Vatican has had to cancel the event during his hospitalisation.
Undeterred, numerous well wishers arrived at Rome's Gemelli hospital during the morning and were rewarded when the Pope suddenly appeared at his 10th floor window, dressed in a purple gown, and waved firmly to the crowds below.
After less than a minute, he banged his hand down on the arm of his chair, indicating to aides he was seated too low to be seen by most of the people gathered in the hospital car park.
He was wheeled back and reappeared a short time later, seated higher in the chair. He remained in view for roughly two minutes, waving and making the sign of the cross.
"We came here hoping that he would bless our marriage," said 21-year-old Darleen Marquez, from Taos, New Mexico, who was wearing her wedding dress and accompanied by her 22-year-old husband, Christopher, in a tuxedo.
Dozens of children were also in the crowds, singing and chanting, bringing a festival atmosphere to the gathering.