Pope waves to pilgrims outside hospital

ROME, March 6 (UPI) -- Pope John Paul II appeared at his hospital window in Rome Sunday for the second consecutive week to wave to pilgrims.

The 84-year-old pontiff, who is recovering from throat surgery, made a sign of the cross and waved at the crowds on the hospital grounds, the BBC reported.

Archbishop Leonardo Sandri conducted the Angelus prayers at St. Peter's Square to bless pilgrims and read a statement.

"I want to express special recognition of the closeness of believers of other religions, particularly Jews and Muslims," the pope said in the statement.

"Some of them wanted to come and pray here at the hospital," he said. "And that for me is a comforting sign, for which I thank God."