A gaunt-looking Pope John Paul II made another silent appearance from his apartment window before his worried flock Wednesday

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

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A gaunt-looking Pope John Paul II made another silent appearance from his apartment window before his worried flock Wednesday, giving his blessing to thousands in St. Peter's Square, where many wept at the sight of his battle with health problems during Holy Week. The appearance lasted about one minute, far short of the hour-plus audiences the pontiff traditionally held with the faithful on Wednesdays. The Vatican's announcement Tuesday that there would be no audience fueled apprehension that John Paul may have suffered setbacks since Feb. 24 surgery to insert a breathing tube in his throat. He last spoke to the public March 13, shortly before leaving the hospital, publishes the Guardians Unlimited. His appearance brought cheers from the thousands of people below, but the fact that he could only remain at the window for 65 seconds indicated that he was still very weak 10 days after leaving hospital, where he underwent throat surgery. Vatican sources say his recovery from surgery is slower than they had hoped and that his health remains precarious. Wednesday is the day the Pope, who also suffers from Parkinson's Disease, usually holds weekly general audiences. They have been suspended since he was hospitalised in February and there is no indication when they might resume. The Pope appeared at the window almost 15 minutes later than the Vatican had announced, prompting some concern in the crowd, reports ABC News

Bookmark A gaunt-looking Pope John Paul II made another silent appearance from his apartment window before his worried flock Wednesday