“The Arch”, as he is affectionately known as, was admitted to a Cape Town hospital last week where he was being treated for an infection.

“Doctors are incredibly pleased with his progress and the efficacy of the medication”, she said.

Tutu is not bedridden and “can walk up and down the corrdor.”

But, she said her father is, “83 years old and not 38 years old, and so doesn’t have the reserves of energy he seemed to have in the past”.

International and local media hung onto her every word as she thanked everyone for their continued support.

“The love, the prayers, the flowers, the greetings mean the world to him.”

Mpho said they are concerned as a family, and are keen to see him home.

“We hope he returns home by the end of next week and will then be able to take oral medication,” she said.

She described her father as the, “ideal patient in the one sense as he never complains, and in another sense the worst because he doesn’t make a fuss when he’s uncomfortable, and that is a challenge for the nurses”.

But, she reiterated earlier comments that he is in good spirts and is very grateful for the jokes that have been sent to him.

Tutu has also been in contact with former US president Jimmy Carter who has his own health concerns right now. Mpho said the two have been in email correspondence, and businessman Richard Branson has also emailed “the Arch”. And she said he has had a personal message from President Jacob Zuma, but no visit.

Mpho emphasised, that: “As much as people are praying for him, he continues to pray for those concerns close to his heart. He is praying for refugees and people in war torn areas.”

When asked what the family’s plans were should he pass on, Mpho responded that: “He’s had a detailed funeral plan for years which he updates periodically and has had in place for 20 years.”

She said he occasionally revises the preachers because “he’s outlived them”.

He also selects music for his funeral plan from time to time.

ANA