Pope suffers
The week's news at a glance.
Rome
Pope John Paul II was so ill at Easter that he could not speak. In obvious pain, he made several attempts to deliver an Easter Sunday blessing from a window in the Vatican, but he failed to make a sound. It was the first time in his 26 years as pope that he did not officiate at Mass on Easter, the most important Christian holiday. The 84-year-old pope has had trouble breathing and swallowing since a throat operation in late February. He might never be able to speak again, a neurologist told Rome’s La Repubblica, because his breath could remain too weak to move his vocal cords.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Wine-tasting in Tuscany
The Week Recommends From biodynamic vineyards to historic cellars, the picturesque region is a wine lover's dream
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
By The Week UK
-
The bougie foods causing international shortages
In the Spotlight Pistachios join avocados and matcha on list of social media-driven crazes that put strain on supply chains and environment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK