VATICAN CITY, March 30 (UPI) -- Vatican officials said Wednesday Pope John Paul II has had a nasal feeding tube inserted, but will not require another hospitalization, Sky News reports.
The 84-year-old pontiff has reportedly had trouble swallowing since having a breathing tube inserted in his throat in an emergency tracheotomy last month.
However, Nicola Cerbino, a spokesman at Polyclinic Gemelli hospital where John Paul was rushed twice last month with flu-related breathing difficulties, said there is no plan to hospitalize the pope.
Wednesday, the frail pontiff made a brief appearance at his window to bless pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, but was again unable to speak. Sunday, he tried but failed to speak to tens of thousands of people gathered for Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square.
He last spoke to the public March 13, soon before being discharged from the hospital for the second time.
