Hundreds of well wishers clapped and chanted "Long live the pope," heartened by the sight of a seemingly alert John Paul II who blessed them from his car as he left his Roman hospital on Sunday.
With the inside light of his silver people carrier on to make him clearly visible to the pilgrims, the pope returned to the Vatican to continue his recovery from throat surgery.
"We are very optimistic," said Donatella Ricci, a Roman psychology student who came to the Gemelli hospital to see the 84-year-old pontiff. "This is a good sign. We are confident that he will continue his work."
Marie McCormak from Birmingham, England, held out a bouquet of red and white flowers as the pope's convoy slowly drove out from the rear entrance of the hospital.
"He's like everyone's granddad. We just love him," said McCormak, on her third visit to the hospital. McCormak and her friend, Michael Greaney, came to support the pope when he was first hospitalised on February 1 and again when he underwent a tracheotomy to ease his breathing 18 days ago.
Greaney said he was heartened by the pope's strong voice when he spoke to pilgrims on Sunday, in his first public speech since his surgery.
"He sounded strong. It is his most inspirational period," said Greaney, who started running beside the pope's car as it left the hospital surrounded by bodyguards.
Teresa de Marzo, an elderly housewife from the southern Italy region of Calabria, stood quietly in the clear crisp evening waiting to catch a glimpse of the pontiff.
"It is beautiful to see the pope. He's a good pope," said de Marzo.
Earlier Sunday, Angela Doria broke down into tears when she heard John Paul's voice speak his traditional "Buona Domenica" or "Good Sunday" through speakers set out on the large square outside the Gemelli.
"He has always touched my heart. But particularly now when he is suffering so much," said Doria as her husband comforted her.
The Polish pope also greeted a delegation from his hometown of Wadowice. "I salute Wadowice," the pontiff said in Polish, according to Wadowice Mayor Eva Filipiak.
"This is the most important moment of our stay. We heard the voice of our pope, we didn't expect it. We hope our presence and our prayers will help him," said Filipiak.
Although most faithful spoke of their hopes for the pope's speedy recovery, others said they found it hard to be optimistic.
"He is an old man. But there is always hope," said Silvia Bellesi, a doctor at the Gemelli hospital, hoping to see the pope from behind the barriers alongside his route.
The pope, who also suffers from Parkinson's disease, has been getting daily therapy for his speech and breathing since his operation. He is expected to continue therapy at the Vatican.
Antonio Bosco, leader of a group of Italian Catholic scouts standing outside the hospital, said the pope does not need to be able to talk to communicate with his flock.
"Just the mere presence of this man, even though he can't talk, can be very strong communication," Bosco said. "I have had the luck to meet him four times and just his look is extremely powerful."