The 84-year-old pontiff was resting
in a Rome hospital after doctors performed a successful operation to help the
ailing pontiff breathe.
"The situation is normal after
surgery," Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters. "He's
breathing on his own and cardiovascular conditions remain good."
Italian news agencies had reported
that John Paul was placed on a respirator after the surgery, but Navarro-Valls
said the pope "had no need of assisted breathing."
"Assisted means mechanical, which
wasn't used yesterday, nor last night, nor this morning. There was no need," he
said.