Pope 'still weak'

ROME (AFP) - Test results on the Pope's tumour have confirmed it was benign, the Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro said yesterday, and the Pope could be released from hospital by the end of the week. But analysis of the tumour removed last Wednesday showed that a tiny central core 'was starting to lose its benign nature to assume a malignant character' although it had not begun to invade surrounding tissue. Joaquin Navarro said the 72-year-old Pope was 'still fairly weak'.