Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Religion

Pope regains his voice after surgery

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II spoke in two languages with a top Vatican official Tuesday, the first clear sign the pontiff was regaining his voice after throat surgery.

The meeting with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger reinforced Vatican statements that the 84-year-old pope was making strides in vocal and respiratory therapy less than a week after receiving a breathing tube. It also sent a message that the pope can remain engaged in key church affairs from his 10th-floor suite at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic hospital.

"The pope spoke with me in German and in Italian," said Ratzinger, a German who runs a powerful Vatican office that deals with issues of Roman Catholic doctrine. "I am happy to say that the Holy Father is fully alert mentally and also able to say the essential things with his voice."

Ratzinger did not elaborate on how long the pope spoke, but his rare meeting with reporters strengthened the image the Vatican is putting forward: The pope is rebounding and is in control.

The Vatican has never officially confirmed the pope's other major health concern, Parkinson's disease. But Ratzinger indirectly acknowledged the pope's condition, saying an association for Parkinson's sufferers wrote the pope to express thanks for helping the image of those afflicted.

"The Holy Father has the courage to appear in public as a person who suffers and who continues to work," Ratzinger said.

"He is well. His condition is improving," papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said.

The pope was told to rest his voice for several days after a tracheotomy Thursday. He is undergoing therapy to learn to breath and speak with the tube in place.

The Vatican canceled the pope's general audience for today. The Vatican has offered few precise details on the pope's condition and has not said when he might be able to leave the hospital. The next official health update is expected Thursday.

[Last modified March 2, 2005, 00:48:07]