Vatican City, Mar 15, 2005 / 22:00 pm
This morning, Pope John Paul II made a surprise appearance at the window of his Vatican apartment and gave numerous blessings to people gathered in St Peter's Square below.
The Pope returned to the Vatican Sunday following a tracheotomy surgery to ease his breathing.
Although the Vatican had announced that he would not be present for the traditional Wednesday audience, large numbers of faithful - mostly Polish pilgrims – gathered in the square hoping to catch a glimpse of the Holy Father.
The crowd erupted into applause as the Pope appeared at his window while images of John Paul II were relayed on two giant screens placed in St Peter's Square.