The Vatican said today doctors were feeding Pope John Paul through a nasal tube to boost his strength and help his recovery from throat surgery.
The surprise statement by chief Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls was the first medical bulletin on the Pope's condition since March 10th, three days before he was released from hospital where he underwent a tracheotomy to help him breathe.
Chief Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls
"To improve his caloric intake and promote an efficient recovery of his strength, nutrition via the positioning of a nasal-gastric tube has begun," Dr Navarro-Valls said in a written statement.
Earlier today, the 84-year-old Pope failed in his efforts to speak in public for the second time in four days, fuelling more concern that his condition was deteriorating.
Italian media has reported that doctors were considering a new operation to place a feeding tube directly into his stomach, but today's statement appeared to dismiss that option.
"The Holy Father continues his slow and progressive convalescence," the statement said. "The Pope is spending many hours of the day in an armchair, he celebrates Holy Mass in his private chapel and is in working contact with his aides, directly following the activity of the Holy See and the Church."
The Pope underwent a tracheotomy on February 24th and still has a tube inserted in his windpipe to aid his breathing. He has spent a total of 28 days in two stints at Rome's Gemelli hospital in the past two months.
Several hours before the statement was issued, the Pope, looking weak but determined, failed in his attempt to speak. He has not spoken in public since he left hospital on March 13th.
The Pope appeared briefly at his window overlooking St Peter's Square to bless the faithful on the day that he normally holds his general audience.
Wearing his traditional white cassock and sitting on a chair, he was rolled to the window and appeared to be listening attentively as priests read greetings several languages.
Another priest then read a blessing for him as the Pope simultaneously moved his hand in the sign of the cross in the direction of the crowd below. One of his priest secretaries then put a microphone next to the Pope's mouth.
He made some sounds in what appeared to be an attempt to say a three-syllable word. But he was unable to pronounce anything and the aide quickly removed the microphone.
The Pope remained at the window for about four minutes. He was then wheeled away and the curtain was drawn.
The emotional episode was a near-identical repeat of Easter Sunday, when the Pope also failed in his attempt to formulate any words. The Pope also skipped a traditional blessing on Easter Monday for the first time in his papacy, now in its 27th year and he did not preside at any events in the Holy Week between Palm Sunday and Easter.