VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul II is getting nutrition from a tube in his nose, the Vatican said today, shortly after the frail pontiff appeared at his window in St. Peter's Square and managed only a rasp when he tried to speak.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the step was taken to "improve the pope's calorie intake" and so he can recover his strength. It was unclear when the tube was inserted but it was not visible when John Paul made his appearance.

The tube is not the only source of nutrition for the pope, a Vatican official said on condition of anonymity.

Asked about reports of a possible hospitalization, the official said there were no plans at this time and any decision would be up to his doctors.

The medical report was the first issued on the pope since March 10 - three days before he was discharged from the hospital for the second time in a month.

The statement appeared indirectly to deny media reports that the 84-year-old pope might be hospitalized again to insert a feeding tube in his stomach because of problems swallowing food.

Francesco Pierconti, a pathologist at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome who did not treat John Paul, said that feeding tubes like the one used by the pope usually need to stay in place for "two or three days, then they get removed for disinfection," before being reinserted.

The statement today said John Paul spends "many hours" seated in an armchair, celebrates Mass in his private chapel and has work contacts with his aides "following directly the activities of the Holy See and the life of the church."

It said the pope continues "his slow and progressive convalescence" and that public audiences remain suspended.

It also said medical assistance is guaranteed by the Vatican medical staff under the direction of the pope's personal physician, Dr. Renato Buzzonetti, an apparent reference to reports that outside medical help has been called in.

The pope was rushed to Gemelli twice last month with breathing crises. On Feb. 24, he underwent throat surgery to insert a tube in his windpipe and ease his breathing.

Navarro-Valls made the announcement shortly after the pope appeared at his studio window and blessed thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square. The ailing pontiff raised his hand in blessing and made the sign of the cross as a Vatican official read greetings and prayers.

The pope looked alert during the appearance, his first since Easter Sunday. A microphone that had been readied by papal aides was quickly removed after the pontiff unsuccessfully tried to say a few words.

The appearance drew cheers from thousands of pilgrims gathered in the square beneath the pope's third-floor window, decorated with the pope's crimson banner. Some of the faithful had tears in their eyes.

Kate Strauss, an American tourist in St. Peter's with her family, said, "We happened to be here by chance and we just had no idea we'd get a blessing from him and a blessing for the babies."

"He looks very frail but certainly very committed to seeing his people," she said.