Pope's convalescence revives memories of John Paul II's agony

Faithful and pilgrims walk at St. Peter's Square while the Pope is unavailable due to illness and will not lead the Angelus prayer at the Vatican on March 30, 2025. [AFP]

Pope Francis's convalescence has revived memories of the painful end of John Paul II's life, highlighting the need to balance protecting his fragile health with keeping him in the public eye.

The head of the Catholic Church returned home to the Vatican on March 23 after five weeks in hospital with life-threatening pneumonia, ordered to rest for at least two months of convalescence.