Pope may return to hospital

POPE John Paul II may have to return to hospital for tests on the tube inserted in his throat to help him breathe, an Italian newspaper reported yesterday.

The report in Corriere della Sera said doctors are considering a new hospitalisation next week both to check the tube and to adjust his diet because of problems with swallowing.

There was no comment from the Vatican.

Nicola Cerbino, a spokesman at Polyclinic Gemelli hospital, where John Paul was rushed twice last month, called the report speculation.

Another newspaper, La Repubblica, quoted the Pope’s Vatican physician, Dr Renato Buzzonetti, as saying doctors are “reasonably calm” about the frail Pope’s condition.

The 84-year-old Pontiff, who was unable to preside at Holy Week events, skipped another tradition on Monday - a post-Easter blessing from his window - ending the Easter holiday as silently as he began it.