Pope distributes ashes to doctors in hospital room Mass

Published: 2005-02-09

ROME (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II invited all of his doctors to an Ash Wednesday Mass in his hospital room and personally distributed ashes to them, the Vatican newspaper said. The newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, said the Feb. 9 liturgy underscored the "spiritual vigor" of the 84-year-old pontiff, who was spending his ninth day in the hospital for flu-related respiratory problems. Placing ashes on the foreheads of the small group in his room, the pope pronounced the Lenten reminder: "You are dust and to dust you shall return." The pope received ashes from one of the concelebrants. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, papal vicar of Rome, visited the pope later in the day and told reporters, "I found him doing really well." He said the two had discussed the beginning of Lent in the Diocese of Rome. The cardinal encouraged people to have "full trust" in the pope's recovery. The Vatican said Feb. 7 the 84-year-old pontiff was improving steadily, but did not say when he could leave the hospital. The next medical bulletin was expected Feb. 10. The pope felt well enough to deliver a brief blessing to the faithful Feb. 6. But his weak health prompted renewed speculation over papal resignation. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, told reporters Feb. 7 that eventual resignation was a decision that must be left to the "conscience" of the pope. The cardinal added that he hoped the pope would continue in the papacy for several more years.

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