Pope misses traditional appearance

Pope John Paul today skipped his traditional appearance at his window overlooking St Peter’s Square the day after Easter following a Holy Week during which he was unable to speak.

An appearance today – a national holiday in Italy – had not been confirmed because of John Paul’s convalescence from throat surgery to ease a breathing crisis, although he had kept the appointment to bless pilgrims throughout his 26-year papacy.

Vatican TV cameras zoomed in on the Pope’s window at noon, but the curtains remained closed.

Yesterday, John Paul managed only a few sounds before he gave up and delivered his Easter blessing with a sign of the cross.

Many applauded the Pontiff’s efforts as his poor health prevented him from speaking to them on the holiest day of the church calendar in a dramatic appearance Sunday at his window overlooking St Peter’s Square.

“Look, it’s Easter and everybody is so sad, and so many have tears in their eyes,” said Hubert Wichert, from the German town of Essen, who was in the square.

For the first time since his papacy began in 1978, Easter Sunday Mass at the Vatican was celebrated without the Pope as he continued his convalescence following two recent spells in hospital. On February 24, the pope had surgery to insert a tube in his throat to help him breathe. John Paul also suffers from Parkinson’s disease, which makes it difficult for him to speak.

John Paul last spoke to the public on March 13, shortly before he was discharged from the hospital for the second time.