Sick Pope to Miss Angelus Service

Pope John Paul II will today follow the Vatican's traditional Sunday address from his hospital room while an aide reads his words and blesses crowds on his behalf in Rome's St Peter's Square.

It will be the first time the 84-year-old will neither appear nor have his voice heard at an Angelus service. In 1992, after he had surgery to remove an intestinal tumour, a message and prayer was taped and the recording played for the faithful.

The frail head of the Roman Catholic Church is recovering in hospital after a tracheotomy - the piercing of his windpipe - to ease breathing difficulties. Yesterday the Vatican said Archbishop Leonardo Sandri would preside for the Pope and deliver a blessing for him while the Pontiff 'will join' from his hospital room.

The news has dismayed the Pope's followers who see it as further evidence that the pontiff may be unable to continue in his position.

However, yesterday Italian media reported that the Pope had spent a 'tranquil' second night at Rome's Gemelli hospital - where he has remained out of public sight since being rushed there for treatment on Thursday.

On Friday the Pope was said to be breathing more easily after the operation. He was said to be joking with doctors and aides and had not needed help breathing, even though medical experts recommend that a respirator be used after such an operation.

In a medical bulletin, the Vatican said doctors had advised the Pope not to speak for some days - a softer take on his situation than that given by doctors who said it could be weeks before he would be able to make any noise at all.