Sick Pope skips Easter Monday blessing

To the disappointment and concern of the faithful, the ailing Pope John Paul failed to appear at his window on Easter Monday but there was no indication that the Pontiff's health had worsened.

Several thousand people, some from the Pope's native Poland, converged on St Peter's Square and chanted his name in the hope of drawing the Roman Catholic leader to the window.

The traditional event marking the end of Holy Week celebrations had been on a calendar of Papal events for this month but had not been confirmed after the Pope left hospital two weeks ago following surgery to relieve breathing problems.

Still, there was great anticipation among the crowd and uncertainty in the Vatican until the last minute. Even the Vatican's television cameras occasionally focused on the window, indicating there was a possibility he might wave to the crowd.

"I'm not aware of any worsening of the Pope's health today. I think the doctors have advised him to rest after the activities of the past few days," an official Vatican source said.

Despite the chanting and clapping, the Pope's windows on the top floor of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace remained firmly closed. After waiting for more than an hour, the chants faded, the clapping stopped and the pilgrims trickled away.

"I am very sorry to have missed him. I waited for three hours in hope. It would have been reassuring because that for me would have meant that he is not as ill as some say he is," said Renato Boscolo, an Italian from northern Turin.

For the first time in his papacy, now in its 27th year, the Pope did not preside at any Easter season activities, tingeing the last 10 days with sadness and uncertainty.

"It would have been very nice to see him but we understand," said Gene Crosby, a Catholic from County Meath, Ireland.

"He is in ill health and we would rather see his health improve. I saw him when he came to Ireland in 1979. It would be great to see him again but it would be even better to see him in good health."

The Pope appeared at his window to bless the faithful on Easter Sunday, but he failed in his attempt to speak.

The Pope's obvious suffering on Sunday cast a cloud over the most important day in the Church's liturgical calendar, with many pilgrims weeping openly when he could not speak.

Aides had brought a microphone to the Pope's mouth, and although he made a few incomprehensible sounds he was unable to pronounce any words.

Aides then removed the microphone and the Pontiff gently tapped his chair in a sign of resignation and frustration.

The Pope spent two spells in hospital in the past two months following breathing crises. He underwent a tracheotomy on February 24 to help air flow more freely into his lungs.

The Pope, who also has Parkinson's disease, still has a tube in his throat and has not spoken in public since March 13.

Vatican sources have said his recovery from the surgery was going slower than they had hoped. There is no indication when he might be able to resume normal activities.