Vatican officials say Pope John Paul is being fed through a nasal tube to boost his strength and help his recovery from throat surgery. A Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said Wednesday the pontiff spends many hours in an armchair, celebrates Mass in his private chapel and works with his aides. He issued the statement shortly after the 84-year-old pontiff failed in an attempt to talk in public. The pope appeared at his window overlooking Saint Peter's Square Wednesday, but he was unable to speak when an aide put a microphone in front of him. It was the first official Vatican statement since March 10, three days before Pope John Paul's return from hospital following a tracheotomy to relieve severe breathing problems.