VATICAN CITY - Looking gaunt, Pope John Paul II appeared at his studio window today before thousands of pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square, raising his hand in blessing a few times but remaining silent.

John Paul's appearance was anxiously awaited by the faithful after Italian news reports that the 84-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church was not responding well to medication.

An announcement on Tuesday that the Wednesday audience so popular with pilgrims from around the world would not be held was widely seen as a sign that he was recovering more slowly than expected from throat surgery on Feb. 24 aimed at easing a breathing crisis.

The chief of the pope's medical team, reacting to suggestions in the Italian media that the pope's health had deteriorated suddenly, ruled out that John Paul might be sent back to the hospital after his discharge 10 days ago.

"No hospitalization of John Paul II is planned," the ANSA news agency quoted Dr. Rodolfo Proietti as saying Tuesday evening.