Pope 'Serene' Following Surgery

Pope John Paul II has spent the night in hospital after a tracheotomy to help him breathe more easily.
A Vatican spokesman said the operation, in which a tube was inserted into the Pope's throat, had been a success.

The 84-year-old Pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Thursday. He spent 10 days there earlier this month with similar flu-related symptoms.

Italian envoy Gianni Letta said the pontiff was "serene and tranquil" after the surgery.

"Doctors are very satisfied with how the Pope withstood surgery and with the first few hours of the immediate post-operative period," he said.

Infection risk

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the tracheotomy, usually performed under general anaesthesia, was completed in "a positive way" and lasted 30 minutes.

Medical experts say the operation is routine, but will make it more difficult for the Pope to talk.

THE POPE'S ILLNESS

1 Feb: Rushed to hospital suffering from "breathing difficulties brought on by flu"

4 Feb: Health improving and he is eating normally, Vatican says

6 Feb: Appears at window of hospital room and reads the final lines of the Angelus blessing in hoarse voice

9 Feb: Misses Ash Wednesday services at the Vatican for first time in 26 years

10 Feb: Returns to Vatican in motorcade, waving to crowds

13 Feb: Appears at Vatican for Sunday blessing for first time since leaving hospital

22 Feb: Launches new book in which he compares abortion with the Holocaust

24 Feb: Returns to Gemelli hospital after suffering a relapse of his flu condition. Has tracheotomy

They also said an elderly man in John Paul's frail condition could be at risk of developing an infection after such an operation.

After being discharged from hospital two weeks ago, the Pope seemed to have been recovering well, appearing twice at his Vatican study window to greet pilgrims.

Mr Navarro-Valls said the Pope had suffered a return of flu symptoms on Wednesday afternoon and was admitted to hospital for further specialist treatment and checks on Thursday morning.

The BBC's Robert Pigott says the Vatican has been keen to show the Pope's health in the best possible light to dispel speculation he may not be able to continue in the role.

He says the pontiff has looked frailer since his admission to hospital earlier this month.

Ceremony missed

On Wednesday the Pope gave a "virtual" general audience, addressing thousands of pilgrims via a television link from his study.

Although he sounded hoarse, the 25-minute address was his longest public appearance since leaving hospital.

But the pontiff, who has Parkinson's disease and arthritis, failed to attend a scheduled Vatican engagement on Thursday morning to approve the declaration of new saints.
It was the first time he had missed the ceremony, known as a consistory, in his 26 years as Pope.

During his previous spell in hospital, he had also missed Ash Wednesday services at the Vatican for the first time while pontiff.

At times in the past three years he has had difficulty completing speeches and tires very quickly during public appearances.

The appearance of the pontiff, with his bent frame and trembling hands, sometimes shocks pilgrims who attend audiences at the Vatican.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/4296537.stm

Published: 2005/02/25 05:37:36 GMT

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