Holy Father speaks of commitment to papal ministry

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the first time since his hospitalization in early February, Pope John Paul II delivered his regular Sunday talk to pilgrims and spoke about his commitment to the papal ministry.

The pope spoke from his apartment window Feb. 20 in a relatively strong but hoarse voice, interrupted once by a cough. He looked animated as he waved to the crowd and greeted several thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square below.

When he finished the brief appearance, a wave of applause swept through the crowd along with cheers of "Long live the pope!"
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The pope's comments were immediately seized upon in the Italian news media as evidence that he had rejected the possibility of resigning the papacy. (Emphasis added)

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