Pope thanks Jews and Muslims for prayers

Pope John Paul II has thanked Jews and Muslims for their support and prayers during his hospitalization. After making an appearance at the window of his hospital room in Rome, he watched the Angelus prayer ceremony on television. Vatican interior minister Leonardo Sandri read a message from the pontiff to thousands of faithful gathered on St Peter's Square. Thanking well-wishers for their support, his message made special mention of the Jewish and Muslim worshippers who had prayed for his swift recovery. "Some of them wanted to come here to pray at the hospital," his message said. "This has been a sign of comfort for me, for which I thank God." Faith in God was the "flame that comforts us in difficult moments", the Pope added.