Vatican City, Mar 28, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Thousand of Pilgrims at St. Peter Square were disappointed this morning when Pope John Paul failed to appear at his window on Easter Monday. Easter Monday, a holiday in Italy, is also known as the “Angel's Monday,” and in this day the Pope used to lead the Easter Marian prayer "Regina Caeli" (Queen of Heaven.)

The event, marking the end of Holy Week celebrations had been on the original Vatican calendar, but had not been confirmed after the Pope left hospital two weeks ago.

Several thousand people at the Square chanted his name in the hope of drawing the Roman Catholic leader to the window. Even the Vatican's television cameras focused on the window, indicating there was a possibility he might wave to the crowd.

The most enthusiastic waited for three hours, until it was evident that, for the first time in his pontificate, the Holy Father would miss his Easter Monday appearance.  

The Pope was unable to pronounce any word during Easter Sunday. According to the Italian news Agency AGI:   “Today the doctors explain how yesterday's happening was due to a psychological factor: the great anxiety of speaking publicly after two weeks of forced silence.”

According to AGI, the Pope has been speaking with his assistants in private.

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