Pope John Paul II is recovering steadily from his throat operation, the Vatican has said after the pontiff's fifth night in hospital.
"He is doing well, his condition is improving," said spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls, outside Rome's Gemelli hospital on Tuesday.
The Pope has been receiving breathing and voice therapy, the Vatican said on Monday, and is eating well.
The pontiff underwent an emergency tracheotomy operation on Thursday.
The 84-year-old pontiff has suffered no post-operative complications, and is now spending some time sitting in an armchair, Monday's statement said.
"His general condition and biological parameters continue to be good," it added.
Message to faithful
On Sunday, he made a surprise appearance at his hospital window to wave to people expecting his blessing.
Sitting in a wheelchair, he made the sign of the cross to bless the faithful, but did not speak.
He spent 10 days at the hospital earlier this month with similar flu-related symptoms.
There has been no word on when the Pope might be released from the hospital.
His message on Sunday, delivered by an aide in St Peter's Square, asked believers "to accompany me... with your prayers".
"I want this message of comfort and hope to reach everyone, especially those who are going through difficult times, who are suffering in body and soul"
His first appearance since the operation lasted about one minute but it will have done much to reassure Catholics around the world that the Pope is fighting back against his illness, says the BBC's David Willey in Rome.
For the first time in his 26-year pontificate, the Pope delegated an aide to perform the Angelus blessing.
The doctors have told him he must not even attempt to speak.
Some church officials and doctors have privately expressed doubts about the Pope's capacity to continue to exercise the office he has held for more than two decades.
Overcoming pain
The Pope looked frail as he appeared at his 10th-floor suite at the Gemelli Hospital.
THE POPE'S ILLNESS
He waved to well-wishers and pointed to his throat where doctors inserted a tube during Thursday's operation.
The Pope's brief message to pilgrims gathered at the Vatican was read by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri.
In it he said "the current climate of penitence of Lent also helps us to better understand the suffering which one way or other concerns us all...
"Only looking to Christ and following him with patient trust shall we understand how all human form of pain includes a divine promise of salvation and happiness."
At times in the past three years, the Pope has had difficulty completing speeches and tires very quickly during public appearances.
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