Pope is being fed through tube in nose, says Vatican

POPE John Paul II is being fed through a tube in his nose, the Vatican said yesterday, shortly after the frail Pontiff appeared at his window in St Peter’s Square and managed only a rasp when he tried to speak.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the step was taken to “improve the Pope’s calorie intake” and so he can recover his strength.

It was unclear when the tube was inserted but it was not visible when John Paul made his appearance.