Pope being fed with feeding tube

Updated: Wednesday, 30 March 2005

The Vatican has revealed that Pope John Paul II is being fed through a nasal tube to aid his recovery from illness.

1 of 2 Pope John Paul Unable to speak today
Pope John Paul
Unable to speak today

The Vatican has revealed that Pope John Paul II is being fed through a nasal tube to aid his recovery from illness.

Earlier, the Pope was again unable to speak coherently during a blessing of the crowd today from his apartment window at St Peter's Square in the Vatican.

Officials put a microphone to his mouth but quickly removed it when the 84-year-old failed to produce any words.

The Pontiff had also been unable to speak coherently at the Easter Sunday ceremony.

The Pope's ill health remains a concern as his efforts continue to recover from a tracheotomy operation carried out on 24 February.

Live Player

  • Next
  • 04:05 - 04:30

    Nationwide

  • 13:00 - 13:45

    RTÉ Radio - News at One (Studio Webcam)

  • Later
  • 13:05 - 13:15

    RTÉ News and Weather

  • 17:45 - 18:00

    Nuacht RTÉ

News Quiz