VATICAN CITY, March 22 (UPI) -- Pope John Paul II has canceled his usual Wednesday audience amid continued concern over his slow recovery from a tracheotomy a month ago.
Deputy Vatican spokesman the Rev. Ciro Benedetti told reporters Tuesday the 84-year-old pontiff was still not well enough to resume his weekly general audience but might appear at the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter's Square.
Pope John Paul underwent the procedure Feb. 24 to ease his difficulty in breathing. He returned to the Vatican from the hospital a week ago.
According to Italian press reports, doctors replaced the plastic tube in his throat Monday. When this news leaked a rumor started that the pope's condition had worsened. However, Vatican sources said there had been no relapse. The pope was still recovering, but slowly.
On Sunday, the pope appeared at his window, waved but did not speak.
