A Vatican spokesman says Pope John Paul II will likely appear at a window of the hospital treating him in Rome on Sunday to give the faithful an unspoken blessing.

Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls spoke Friday, one day after saying the 84 year-old pontiff's health is "progressively improving" following last week's throat surgery.

On Thursday, he said Pope John Paul II might be released from the hospital by Easter, late this month. Doctors say the Pope may not speak during his recovery.

The 84-year-old pope was rushed to Rome's Gemelli hospital last Thursday for the second time in less than a month for treatment of breathing difficulties. Last Sunday, he made a surprise appearance at a hospital window to bless the faithful with his hands.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.