Pope John Paul II will be well enough to deliver his traditional Angelus blessing on Sunday, the Vatican says.
The 84-year-old pontiff, whose health has been improving since being rushed to hospital on Tuesday, will give the blessing from his hospital suite.
However, the Angelus prayer itself will be read by an aide.
For the first time in his long reign, the Pope will miss the Ash Wednesday prayer service in St Peter's this week, marking the start of Lent.
The blessing, which consists of just a few lines in Latin, will be broadcast via radio link from Rome's Gemelli hospital at noon (1100 GMT).
The Pope may also appear briefly at the window of his 10th floor hospital room if he feels well enough.
THE ANGELUS
The pontiff's speech had already grown slurred and often incomprehensible in recent months as a result of the progress of Parkinson's disease.
He is believed to have suffered a laryngo-spasm last week, a closure of the larynx that blocks the passage of air to the lungs.
There have been concerns that he could develop pneumonia.
JOHN PAUL II
But his heart and lungs are said to be performing normally, and the Vatican has been keen to stress that this is not a life-threatening illness.
On Saturday, Italian bishop Vincenzo Paglia said the pontiff was "getting better and he's happy" after delivering a message of good wishes with three other bishops.
The prelate had also attended a gathering of some 100 bishops of various Christian denominations who held an ecumenical prayer service in the hospital chapel for the ailing leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
No further medical updates are expected until Monday.
It remains unclear how much longer the Pope will remain in hospital.
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