VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope John Paul II managed to speak in two languages with a top Vatican official Tuesday, the first clear sign the pontiff was regaining his voice after throat surgery.

The meeting with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger reinforced Vatican statements that the 84-year-old pope was making strides in vocal and respiratory therapy less than a week after receiving a breathing tube. It also sent a message that John Paul can remain engaged in key church affairs from his 10th-floor suite at Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic hospital.

“The pope spoke with me in German and in Italian,” said Ratzinger, a German who runs a powerful Vatican office that deals with issues of Roman Catholic doctrine. “I am happy to say that the Holy Father is fully alert mentally and also able to say the essential things with his voice.”

Ratzinger did not elaborate on what the pope said or how long he spoke, but his rare meeting with reporters strengthened the image the Vatican is putting forward: The pope is rebounding and remains in control.

The Vatican has never officially confirmed John Paul’s other major health concern, Parkinson’s disease, which causes progressive loss of muscle control and is expected to complicate his recovery. But Ratzinger indirectly acknowledged the pope’s condition, saying an association for Parkinson’s sufferers wrote the pope to express thanks for helping the image of those afflicted.

“The Holy Father has the courage to appear in public as a person who suffers and who continues to work,” Ratzinger told Vatican Radio.

“He is well. His condition is improving,” papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters. He said the pope “spent a good night” and celebrated Mass in his suite.

Doctors had told the pope to rest his voice for several days after a tracheotomy Thursday. He is undergoing daily therapy to learn to breath and speak with the tube in place.

“Everything is normal,” Navarro-Valls said. “He is a good patient.”

The Vatican canceled the pope’s Wednesday general audience. The Rome daily Il Messaggero reported John Paul hopes to say “Grazie” – “Thank you” – at Sunday’s prayers.

The Vatican has offered few precise details on the pope’s condition and has not said when he might be able to leave the hospital. The next official health update is expected Thursday.

However, it appears likely his current hospitalization will be longer than the last: 10 days of treatment at Gemelli for breathing problems that began Feb. 1. Italian reports suggest the pope could be under medical care until Easter – March 27 – even if there are no setbacks.

British Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor said it appeared the pope will “do what he can” to manage church affairs during treatment.

“Naturally (his duties) have been reduced in recent months and that will continue, to a certain extent, in the future depending on his health,” Murphy-O’Connor said. “I don’t think anything dramatic has happened at this time.”

Fifty-five Polish pilgrims prayed beneath the pope’s room Tuesday, and brought him presents from his native Poland: honey for his throat and drawings by hospitalized children, said Viktor Nichtmauser, a member of the group.

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EDITOR’S NOTE – Associated Press writers Victor L. Simpson and Daniela Petroff contributed to this report from Rome.

AP-ES-03-01-05 1754EST

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