Pope John Paul II has left Rome's Gemelli Hospital, 18 days after he underwent throat surgery to relieve severe breathing problems.
The 84-year-old Pontiff left the hospital in a passenger van that was to take him back to the Vatican.
Earlier today, Pope John Paul greeted pilgrims in his first live address to the faithful since he underwent throat surgery last month to ease his breathing.
The Pope spoke just a few words, waving and making the sign of the cross to the faithful gathered beneath his 10th-floor suite at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic hospital. Shortly afterward, the Vatican said he would leave the hospital later today.
"Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for your visit," the pope said in a hoarse voice. "To everyone, have a good Sunday and a good week."
Hundreds of people cheered and applauded as they gazed up at the pope's hospital window. Some used binoculars to see him better, and some snapped pictures with their cell phone cameras.
"It's something inside that you cannot express with words," said Pina Mariani, 54, wiping tears from her eyes.
The 84-year-old pope has appeared in the window three times since his the surgery to insert a tube into his windpipe. But in those showings, he remained silent.
However, he managed a few words in a video released Friday by Vatican TV showing him speaking in public for the first time since his tracheotomy.
The pope's speaking difficulties are complicated by Parkinson's disease, raising concerns over John Paul's ability to communicate to the faithful and guide the world's 1 billion Roman Catholics.
But the Vatican has been at pains to stress that the pontiff has been meeting with aides and following church affairs.
"The Holy Father, in agreement with the attending physicians, will return to the Vatican this evening, where he will continue his convalesence," the Vatican said in a statement Sunday.
John Paul returns to the Vatican in time for the solemn Holy Week celebrations that begin a week from now, on March 20, and culminate with Easter Sunday.
Across town at St. Peter's Square, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri of Argentina read the weekly Angelus prayer and blessed faithful on behalf of the pontiff.
In remarks read by Sandri, the pope expressed his gratitude to journalists who "not without sacrifice" are carrying out their work, "thanks to which the faithful in every part if the world can feel closer to me and accompany me with affection and prayer."
"The role of the mass media in our era of global communications is very important," the pope's message said. "The responsibility of those working in their field, called to furnish timely information respectful of a person's dignity and attentive of the common good, is also great."
John Paul also said he hoped to see many young people taking part in a Palm Sunday celebration at St. Peter's Square, which he said "leads us toward" the Roman Catholic Church's World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, in August.
AP