Pope Sends Message To Sick

Says Suffering Never Useless, A Mysterious Link To Christ On Cross

(AP)  Pope John Paul II, back from the hospital but still frail, sent a message of support to the sick on Friday, saying he feels especially close with them and asking for their prayers.

The pope's letter was read at Mass at St. Peter's Basilica for the Church's World Day of the Sick. Before falling ill with the flu and breathing problems last week, the pontiff had planned to attend.

The 84-year-old pope sent out greetings especially to the ailing, "with whom I feel particularly close," said the message, which was read by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the pope's vicar for Rome. The congregation broke into applause afterward.

"Your suffering is never useless, dear sick ones," the pope's message said. Pain is precious, he said, because it has a mysterious link to Christ's trial on the cross.

"For that reason the pope counts deeply on the importance of your prayers and your suffering," the message said. "Offer them up to the Church and to the world, offer them also for me and for my mission as universal shepherd of the Christian people."

Many hoped the pope would show up. Ruini said he was following the service on television.

The pontiff was spending his first full day back at the Vatican on Friday after overcoming breathing problems that required emergency hospitalization and left many wondering how he would continue in his papacy with such weak health.

The Vatican's official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, responded to any questions about whether the pope planned to resign with a banner headline: "The rudder is still in his hands."

Since the pope's appearance Sunday from his hospital room window, some have worried about his future at the head of the Church because his very brief words were almost entirely inaudible.

On Monday Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who as secretary of state is the Vatican's No. 2, said the hypothesis of a papal resignation should be left "up to the pope's conscience."

No pope has resigned for centuries, and John Paul repeatedly has said he intends to carry out his mission until the end.

On Thursday, parents hoisted children on their shoulders to watch and Romans let out hearty cries of "Viva il papa!" ("Long live the pope!") as John Paul, in his white popemobile, left the hospital.

Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said John Paul — who also suffers from Parkinson's disease and crippling hip and knee ailments — had recovered completely from the breathing crisis. A battery of tests including a CT scan — a three-dimensional X-ray — had ruled out any new illnesses, the spokesman said.

Private Lenten spiritual exercises are slated to last from Sunday evening until Feb. 19, when, according to a Vatican schedule published before John Paul's hospitalization, the pontiff is to preside at a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

Many will be watching this Sunday to see if John Paul keeps his customary noon appearance at his studio window on St. Peter's Square.