Prayers flooded in for the Catholic cleric who was admitted to hospital in Salamanca on Thursday, January 22, when he suddenly became unwell. Following initial treatment and tests at the city’s University Hospital, it was confirmed the 64-year-old had suffered a heart attack and would have to undergo “minor medical treatment.” But a spokesman for the Catholic Church revealed that Scotland’s most senior cleric was allowed to leave hospital on Saturday afternoon to make a return to the Royal Scots College. He was previously the fourth Bishop of Paisley, a post to which he was appointed by Pope Benedict on September 13, 2005.

The official added: “The Archbishop condition has markedly improved. This afternoon he will leave the University Hospital of Salamanca and return to the Royal Scots College.

“It is hoped that he will be able to return to Scotland next week. He remains in good spirits and is now supported by his brother, Canon Gerard Tartaglia, who has travelled from Scotland to be with him. The Bishops are delighted at this good news.” The Scottish Bishops were attending an in-service week at the Scots College in Salamanca, with Archbishop Tartaglia as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, when he started to feel unwell. Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Glasgow were made aware of his condition and special prayers were offered over the weekend throughout the Archdiocese for his recovery.

Leo Cushley, the Archbishop of St Andrew’s and Edinburgh, was among those who offered messages of prayer on social media.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “Please pray for Archbishop Tartaglia’s health as he undergoes tests following a heart attack. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for him.” An official from the church had said on Friday: “Archbishop Tartaglia is conscious and in good spirits, he has been visited by other Scots bishops attending the meeting.

“The Archbishop will remain in hospital in Spain until he is well enough to return home. Further medical updates will be released if any change in the Archbishop’s condition takes place.” Earlier this month Archbishop Tartaglia led a joint requiem Mass for three members of the same family who were killed in Glasgow’s horrific bin lorry tragedy in George Square. During the service the Archbishop of Glasgow told how he tried to comfort distraught Dumbarton woman Jacqueline McQuade after she witnessed the death of her daughter and both her parents on December 22, 2014.

He was also at the centre of a memorial service for the ten victims of the Clutha Vaults helicopter crash in November 2013.