Pope John Paul II returned to his apartment in the Vatican Thursday after spending more than a week in a Rome hospital where he was treated for breathing difficulties.
A spokesman said the 84-year-old Pontiff has been "cured" of the breathing crisis and his overall condition continues to improve.
The official said a series of medical tests has ruled out any new illness.
John Paul, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and crippling hip and knee ailments, was rushed by ambulance on Feb. 1 from the Vatican to Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic for emergency treatment after developing respiratory problems during a bout with the flu.
On Wednesday, John Paul missed the Vatican's Ash Wednesday ritual for the first time in his 26-years as Pope.
He has no public appearances scheduled until Easter.
Vatican analyst, Father John Wauck, told CBS News it was not clear what the future would hold for the Pope.
"This may be a minor episode - it may be the beginning of a longer illness," he said.
A young cancer patient visited the Pope this week.
John Paul’s personal secretary said the unidentified Italian child, who is hospitalized in a ward next to the wing in which the Pope was treated, had been knocking on the door to the Pope’s suite, but nobody answered.
The papal secretary responded, "Perhaps you would like to greet the pope?" and then took the boy inside, to John Paul's surprise.
According to a hospital spokesman, the boy said, "Pope, make me well."
John Paul smiled at the boy and gave him a special blessing, telling him to share it with the other ailing children with the pope's "wish of a full recovery."
