Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Pope's Health; Papal Spokesman Press Conference; He Writes the Songs

Aired February 25, 2005 - 06:29   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: You are looking at a live picture of the Vatican. Any moment now, we're expecting a statement on the pope's condition.
It is Friday, February 25. You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

"Now in the News."

Three British soldiers accused of abusing Iraqis in Basra could learn their fate this morning. One pleaded guilty. Two others were found guilty. All could face up to two years behind bars. CNN will let you know when a decision is handed down.

A lawyer for Terri Schiavo's parents say Florida's Social Services is seeking a 60-day stay in removing her feeding tube. The department wants to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of the brain-damaged woman.

Kobe Bryant is scheduled to face questions under oath today. Lawyers for the woman who had accused him of rape will get their first chance to question him in a civil lawsuit. Bryant says the two had consensual sex.

And there are questions this morning involving an FDA panel. Ten of the 32 panel advisors who voted to allow the sales of painkillers Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx reportedly had industry ties. "The New York Times" reports the 10 have consulted in recent years for the drugs' makers.

To the forecast center now.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Pope John Paul II is breathing without the help of a respirator this morning. That follows surgery to insert a breathing tube in his throat. Hospitalized for the second time this month, the 84-year-old pope underwent a tracheotomy, performed without complications.

We want to get the latest, though. Let's head live to Rome and CNN's Matthew Chance.

Hello -- Matthew. MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you as well, Carol.

The frail 82-year-old pontiff has spent a night in the hospital recovering from that surgery. Vatican officials say the tracheotomy in which a tube was inserted into his throat will enable him to breathe more easily. It was a success.

Initially, he had been placed on a ventilator to make his breathing even more possible. But, we now understand, according to reports on Italian news agencies, that that ventilator has been taken out, and the pope is now breathing unassisted.

The pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Thursday morning after complications arising from his recent bout of influenza. He had spent 10 days earlier this month in the hospital being treated for that.

Vatican officials have been saying, believing, that he was making a steady recovery. The pope had even made a handful of public appearances over the course of the past week, although, in retrospect, looking increasingly frail in those public appearances.

COSTELLO: Matthew. Matthew, I'm sorry. I have to interrupt Matthew Chance, because a papal spokesman is now announcing an update on the pope's condition, Navarro-Valls. Let's hear what he has to say.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

JOAQUIN NAVARRO-VALLS, PAPAL SPOKESMAN (through translator): And he had a good appetite. I can also describe what he ate.

The situation is normal after surgery. The holy father is breathing autonomously, and cardiovascular conditions are good. Upon prescription of the doctors, the pope cannot speak for a few days in order to favor the restoration of the larynx function.

Because of this situation, there is no need to issue another statement until Monday, the 28th of February at 12:30 Italian time.

I would now like to describe the circumstances that led to the hospitalization of the holy father ever since the pope had left the Gemelli Polyclinic on the 10th of February. Since then, the holy father had not had a temperature, which allowed him to restore his normal activity, the mass in the morning, hearings, and receiving his collaborators, as you saw in the information that we gave every day on the activity of the holy father. Certainly, in those days, there wasn't -- and there isn't now -- any infectious bronchopulmonary syndrome.

Naturally, in that period of time, he was eating normally. But, as I had already told you yesterday, and I'm going to read again that paragraph that I read yesterday, the renewal of episodes of acute difficulty in breathing caused by a pre-existent (UNINTELLIGIBLE) stenosis of the larynx. For this reason, the pope was monitored in his apartment, just in case, by a doctor and also by Dr. Camanyurni (ph), who was in attendance yesterday evening during the tracheotomy.

The tracheotomy surgery that the pope underwent yesterday was defined, as I already said in the statement I made yesterday evening, as -- and I quote -- "an elective tracheotomy." What does this mean? What does the word "elective" mean? It means that it was not an emergency surgery.

As we were saying yesterday, with this surgery, they also wanted to ensure an accurate ventilation of the patient and to favor the resolution of the larynx pathology. If there is facilitation in breathing, the larynx pathology can disappear.

The pope is breathing better. He is relieved. And he does not need any assistance breathing, which means mechanical aid to breathing, which was not used yesterday, nor last night, nor this morning. There was no need for assisted or mechanical ventilation.

These are the information that we have for today. I am sure that you have many questions to ask, and I cannot answer your questions, because you can read the statement -- actually, the statement is going to be read at the Gemelli Polyclinic. So, if nothing happens, a new statement will be issued on Monday morning at 12:30 Italian time.

QUESTION (through translator): What is going to happen on Sunday as far as the blessing or the Angelus is concerned?

NAVARRO-VALLS (through translator): Well, tomorrow morning, I am going to talk to the secretary of the holy father, and I'm going to talk to the doctors. And we shall see tomorrow what has been decided for Sunday blessings.

QUESTION (through translator): When is the tube going to be taken out?

NAVARRO-VALLS (through translator): We are going to inform you in due time.

QUESTION (through translator): You said that there was no bronchopulmonary infection. So, there's just a larynx infection. What is the situation of the lungs? And you also said the pope had a good appetite. What did he eat? Did he have those famous croissants? And how is the pope communicating, in what way?

NAVARRO-VALLS (through translator): In the previous statement that we made when he had left the hospital, we had said that the laboratory tests had not shown any other pathology. So that had been ruled out. An x-ray had been made -- a CT-scan had been then. So, the situation is the same as before.

Second question, about the pope's appetite. I saw what he ate for breakfast, for those who are interested, cafe latte, so coffee with milk, with 10 more biscuits, small but 10, and a yogurt. And he ate all of it.

Third question, how is he communicating? There are things that are more difficult to say, but I'm going to say this exceptionally. When he went back to his room yesterday, the anesthesia was very light, taking into account the light surgery. So, he made that gesture, and he said jokingly -- it is more difficult to interpret written words. But he wrote that to me. He wrote to me, "What have they done to me?" And "...," and then, "But I am always totus tuus" in Latin. This is what the pope wrote yesterday evening. He wrote that. "I am always totus tuus," a Latin expression.

So, after the light anesthesia, he went back to his room. He was brought back to his room. He asked for a piece of paper, and he wrote, "What have they done to me?", jokingly, "..." But I am always totus tuus." This is what I can refer.

Tomorrow at 12:30, we are going to meet, but there is not going to be any medical bulletin. Maybe as far as Sunday is concerned, we can meet tomorrow at 12:30.

The pope did not have any temperature yesterday nor the day before. Apparently, last night he slept only three to four hours. Well, I don't know that exactly, but I know that the people who were there and actually the doctors said that he spent a restful night. He was able to rest. So, it means that, well, probably he was relieved he could breathe again. So, that's why maybe he didn't sleep more than three or four hours.

No more comments. Now, you can leave, because I'm not going to say anything else. I said that his appetite is normal. His feeding is normal. He's eating in a normal way. I am going to repeat all of this in English for the English-language television network, and I am going to say exactly what is written here...

COSTELLO: We're going to jump out of this now, because Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the papal spokesman, is not going to be answering anymore questions, as you heard.

Let's head to Rome now to try to sort through all of this with our CNN Vatican analyst, Delia Gallagher.

Hello -- Delia.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Hi, Carol.

COSTELLO: I must say, Mr. Navarro-Valls made the situation seem very positive.

GALLAGHER: Well, that's his job, of course, Carol. You noticed that he immediately said that elective surgery means only that it wasn't emergency surgery. So, trying to downplay the gravity of this tracheotomy.

On the other hand, he gave us quite a good bit of information there. Particularly interesting, I think, is what the pope wrote to him after the surgery, saying, "What have they done to me?" And then, he said, "I am always totus tuus." That's the Latin phrase. It's the papal motto. It has been for a long time. It means, "All yours," and it's a reference to the Virgin Mary. Of course, we know the pope's dedication to the Virgin Mary, and you just see that coming right back immediately after his surgery.

So, I think that's an interesting indication of the pope's state of health and state of mind -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And the other interesting thing, he said that the pope is thinking about appearing on Sunday, but he hasn't decided yet.

GALLAGHER: Well, again, that's the same sort of willpower of this pope who wants to come back immediately to his people. Now, obviously he's not going to be back in the Vatican on Sunday, even though that hasn't been confirmed by the papal spokesman. But that seems likely that we might see what he did last time; that is an appearance at the window of the hospital. That's probably the most likely scenario if he does anything at all.

But knowing this pope, he is going to want to at least put in an appearance. And knowing the Vatican, they are going to want to assure the world that the pope is indeed OK.

COSTELLO: Just a clarification, because I missed the first part of this news conference. I know the pope was breathing on his own without a respirator, and then the papal spokesman said that doctors asked him not to speak for a few days. I couldn't determine if that meant that the trach had been removed as well.

GALLAGHER: Well, he didn't specify that, but we might assume that with the trach in he wouldn't be able to speak at all. So, he did say that he never had need of the respirator last night or this morning. So, that's something new that we've learned from the papal spokesman.

And, of course, the fact that the pope is eating -- you'd have to talk to your medical consultants -- but that seems to suggest to me that he is able to eat. He was eating coffee and cookies. That seems to suggest somebody who is on the mend.

COSTELLO: Yes. According to Elizabeth Cohen, our medical correspondent, you cannot speak with a trach in, but you can eat. But it seems like the pope ate a lot. He drank coffee with milk, 10 small biscuits and yogurt. And according to his spokesman, he ate it all. So, we'll continue to monitor his...

GALLAGHER: Well...

COSTELLO: Go ahead. Go ahead, Delia.

GALLAGHER: No, I was going to say, he might have been quite hungry. You know, it's been about 15 hours since his surgery. So, I can well imagine that he wanted to eat something.

COSTELLO: Delia Gallagher live from Rome this morning. Thank you.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, he's performed countless shows and has a career that spans decades. Find out what Barry Manilow is up to these days. Here's a look at what else is making news this Friday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is now 6:47 Eastern. Here's what will be making news later today.

The pope's condition has improved. Just moments ago, Pope John Paul's spokesman said the pontiff had a restful night after undergoing a tracheotomy. He's eating. He ate breakfast, 10 cookies, some coffee and some yogurt. As you know, the pope has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize this year, and he just may appear in his hospital window on Sunday. We will continually keep you update on the pope's condition.

Along with U2, front man Bono, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Illinois Governor George Ryan, they're all nominated. They have a record -- we're going to sort through that story. We're talking about the Nobel Peace Prize here. They're all nominated for one. We'll sort that out later this week -- or later next week.

And animal rights activist are upset and ready to protest a new treat called Road Kill Candy. The gummy pieces depict snakes, chickens and squirrels, complete with tire treads.

And in the new issue of "People" on newsstands today, J.Lo breaks the veil of secrecy about her marriage to Latin pop singer Marc Anthony. In her first public acknowledgement of their marital status, Jennifer Lopez is quoted as saying, "Yes, we're married." I mean, come on, everybody knows that's not a secret, but good timing on her part. She has a new album out on Tuesday.

And we'll turn from one heartthrob to another. This one's career spans decades, and he's performed in thousands of shows without ever lip-syncing. We're talking about Barry Manilow. Straight ahead, hear what he has to say about the new generation of pop lip-syncers.

This is DAYBREAK for Friday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: He's been called everything from the "sultan of smultz" (ph) to the "greatest showman of the 70s generation." There is no doubt, though, he is back.

Barry Manilow is hot, not exactly as in Paris Hilton-hot. But to Copaca fans, he is on fire. His new show opens this weekend in Vegas in the very hotel where Elvis once danced around in that white jumpsuit.

I talked with him.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO (voice over): Vegas has become New York-South Beachy kind of place, younger, hipper, and now home to a guy who is so un- hip, he's hip.

BARRY MANILOW, SINGER: Before you start to sing "dancing in the streets," right?

COSTELLO: Yes. Barry Manilow was back. But did he really ever go anywhere?

(on camera): Three thousand concerts.

MANILOW: Hold on. I'm going to do 3,000, or I've already done?

COSTELLO: No, you've already done 3,000.

MANILOW: God, I'm tired.

COSTELLO (voice over): Tired? Forget about it. Here's Barry rehearsing. He sure doesn't act 58.

MANILOW (singing): Dancing in the street. Everybody, there'll be dancing.

COSTELLO: He's the consummate showman who, yes, writes the songs but also sings them, which these days is actually saying something.

I wondered what a legend like Manilow thought about the music industry factory that churns out the prefabricated pop stars of today. They don't stack up, do they?

MANILOW: I think Clay Aiken sings.

COSTELLO (on camera): Ashlee Simpson?

MANILOW: Well, you know, I heard her sing. I didn't think she was that bad. I mean, I think she needs encouragement and maybe a little coaching here and there and maybe, you know, an arranger.

COSTELLO (voice over): That's gracious coming from a man who has never lip-synced, but admits he knows how to turn his weaknesses into strengths.

MANILOW: I can fool you into thinking that I'm a good singer, because I can crawl into the emotion of the song and make you think that I can sing better than I really can. I mean, I'm not bad. It's just that I'm not great. I know what great is.

COSTELLO: His sometimes rabid fans say differently. And over the years, they have given him 13 No. 1 hits to prove it. Not bad for a guy who says that personally he hates pop music.

MANILOW: The last time I turned on the radio, it was you know -- I mean, you know, I listen to classical music. I listen to R&B. Actually what I really love to listen to these days is electronic.

COSTELLO: Funny he should say that. This year, his 1978 hit, "Copacabana" --and don't pretend you don't remember it -- it was remixed by a deejay named Eddie X. And guess what? It shot to No. 1 on the dance charts, prompting a new generation of kids who call themselves "fanilows" and "copaca fans."

(on camera): Manilow will his blend his music and passion here on stage in Las Vegas for the next 30 weeks. And he'll be doing it the old-fashioned way, by connecting with his audience. There will be no lip-syncing here. So, copaca fans, rock on.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Oh, I wanted to hear him sing more. And I wanted to hear that electronic version. Maybe we'll bump out, you know, at the end of the show with that. That would be fun.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes. It was good. You know, I had Barry Manilow 1, 2, 3 and 4. I'm old enough to actually admit it. I had it on album and on cassette.

COSTELLO: Not many people actually come out and admit that. But this man has had 13 No. 1 hits.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And his last tour, 250,000 tickets sold, and they're expecting his Vegas show to be very big. It opens tonight.

MYERS: It is very expensive. Cheap seats are $90-something, and the good ones are 160.

COSTELLO: But, you know, everything is expensive in Vegas.

MYERS: Oh, of course.

COSTELLO: You go see a magic show, and it's 100 bucks.

MYERS: Well, yes. And those...

COSTELLO: So, it's right in line with the rest of the shows.

MYERS: And those really cheap buffets are not so cheap anymore.

COSTELLO: No, they're not.

We'll be right back. As we take you to break, some snapshots of Barry's opening night at the Las Vegas Hilton.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: A little "Copacabana" remix for you after Chad does the travel forecast.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Oh, don't go away yet. You have to announce the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee quiz, because we didn't get to it yesterday.

MYERS: Well, I have it here somewhere. There we go. There is a picture of the old coffee mug. And the winner, Michael Mazurek from Austin, Texas. You guys are up early out there.

COSTELLO: Congratulations, Michael. That cup will be coming your way, wrapped in bubble wrap to assure no breakage.

MYERS: That was the question from Wednesday, because it should have been yesterday, but we were so busy with breaking news we couldn't get to it.

Now, the questions for today. We'll give you the answers on Monday and the winner. Which NFL Hall of Famer is considering a run for governor in Pennsylvania? And where at the Academy Awards held? Daybreak@CNN.com -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Daybreak@CNN.com. Thank you for watching DAYBREAK this morning. We appreciate it.

On Monday also, from fountain drinks to fur, toilet flushes to tat -- to tattoos, rather, the United States has taxes on some rather unusual items. Monday there's more. You get serious about those 1040 forms. We take a lighter look at some of America's wackiest taxes.

And that does do it for us. I'm Carol Costello along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.


Aired February 25, 2005 - 06:29   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: You are looking at a live picture of the Vatican. Any moment now, we're expecting a statement on the pope's condition.
It is Friday, February 25. You are watching DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

"Now in the News."

Three British soldiers accused of abusing Iraqis in Basra could learn their fate this morning. One pleaded guilty. Two others were found guilty. All could face up to two years behind bars. CNN will let you know when a decision is handed down.

A lawyer for Terri Schiavo's parents say Florida's Social Services is seeking a 60-day stay in removing her feeding tube. The department wants to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect of the brain-damaged woman.

Kobe Bryant is scheduled to face questions under oath today. Lawyers for the woman who had accused him of rape will get their first chance to question him in a civil lawsuit. Bryant says the two had consensual sex.

And there are questions this morning involving an FDA panel. Ten of the 32 panel advisors who voted to allow the sales of painkillers Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx reportedly had industry ties. "The New York Times" reports the 10 have consulted in recent years for the drugs' makers.

To the forecast center now.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Pope John Paul II is breathing without the help of a respirator this morning. That follows surgery to insert a breathing tube in his throat. Hospitalized for the second time this month, the 84-year-old pope underwent a tracheotomy, performed without complications.

We want to get the latest, though. Let's head live to Rome and CNN's Matthew Chance.

Hello -- Matthew. MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you as well, Carol.

The frail 82-year-old pontiff has spent a night in the hospital recovering from that surgery. Vatican officials say the tracheotomy in which a tube was inserted into his throat will enable him to breathe more easily. It was a success.

Initially, he had been placed on a ventilator to make his breathing even more possible. But, we now understand, according to reports on Italian news agencies, that that ventilator has been taken out, and the pope is now breathing unassisted.

The pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Thursday morning after complications arising from his recent bout of influenza. He had spent 10 days earlier this month in the hospital being treated for that.

Vatican officials have been saying, believing, that he was making a steady recovery. The pope had even made a handful of public appearances over the course of the past week, although, in retrospect, looking increasingly frail in those public appearances.

COSTELLO: Matthew. Matthew, I'm sorry. I have to interrupt Matthew Chance, because a papal spokesman is now announcing an update on the pope's condition, Navarro-Valls. Let's hear what he has to say.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

JOAQUIN NAVARRO-VALLS, PAPAL SPOKESMAN (through translator): And he had a good appetite. I can also describe what he ate.

The situation is normal after surgery. The holy father is breathing autonomously, and cardiovascular conditions are good. Upon prescription of the doctors, the pope cannot speak for a few days in order to favor the restoration of the larynx function.

Because of this situation, there is no need to issue another statement until Monday, the 28th of February at 12:30 Italian time.

I would now like to describe the circumstances that led to the hospitalization of the holy father ever since the pope had left the Gemelli Polyclinic on the 10th of February. Since then, the holy father had not had a temperature, which allowed him to restore his normal activity, the mass in the morning, hearings, and receiving his collaborators, as you saw in the information that we gave every day on the activity of the holy father. Certainly, in those days, there wasn't -- and there isn't now -- any infectious bronchopulmonary syndrome.

Naturally, in that period of time, he was eating normally. But, as I had already told you yesterday, and I'm going to read again that paragraph that I read yesterday, the renewal of episodes of acute difficulty in breathing caused by a pre-existent (UNINTELLIGIBLE) stenosis of the larynx. For this reason, the pope was monitored in his apartment, just in case, by a doctor and also by Dr. Camanyurni (ph), who was in attendance yesterday evening during the tracheotomy.

The tracheotomy surgery that the pope underwent yesterday was defined, as I already said in the statement I made yesterday evening, as -- and I quote -- "an elective tracheotomy." What does this mean? What does the word "elective" mean? It means that it was not an emergency surgery.

As we were saying yesterday, with this surgery, they also wanted to ensure an accurate ventilation of the patient and to favor the resolution of the larynx pathology. If there is facilitation in breathing, the larynx pathology can disappear.

The pope is breathing better. He is relieved. And he does not need any assistance breathing, which means mechanical aid to breathing, which was not used yesterday, nor last night, nor this morning. There was no need for assisted or mechanical ventilation.

These are the information that we have for today. I am sure that you have many questions to ask, and I cannot answer your questions, because you can read the statement -- actually, the statement is going to be read at the Gemelli Polyclinic. So, if nothing happens, a new statement will be issued on Monday morning at 12:30 Italian time.

QUESTION (through translator): What is going to happen on Sunday as far as the blessing or the Angelus is concerned?

NAVARRO-VALLS (through translator): Well, tomorrow morning, I am going to talk to the secretary of the holy father, and I'm going to talk to the doctors. And we shall see tomorrow what has been decided for Sunday blessings.

QUESTION (through translator): When is the tube going to be taken out?

NAVARRO-VALLS (through translator): We are going to inform you in due time.

QUESTION (through translator): You said that there was no bronchopulmonary infection. So, there's just a larynx infection. What is the situation of the lungs? And you also said the pope had a good appetite. What did he eat? Did he have those famous croissants? And how is the pope communicating, in what way?

NAVARRO-VALLS (through translator): In the previous statement that we made when he had left the hospital, we had said that the laboratory tests had not shown any other pathology. So that had been ruled out. An x-ray had been made -- a CT-scan had been then. So, the situation is the same as before.

Second question, about the pope's appetite. I saw what he ate for breakfast, for those who are interested, cafe latte, so coffee with milk, with 10 more biscuits, small but 10, and a yogurt. And he ate all of it.

Third question, how is he communicating? There are things that are more difficult to say, but I'm going to say this exceptionally. When he went back to his room yesterday, the anesthesia was very light, taking into account the light surgery. So, he made that gesture, and he said jokingly -- it is more difficult to interpret written words. But he wrote that to me. He wrote to me, "What have they done to me?" And "...," and then, "But I am always totus tuus" in Latin. This is what the pope wrote yesterday evening. He wrote that. "I am always totus tuus," a Latin expression.

So, after the light anesthesia, he went back to his room. He was brought back to his room. He asked for a piece of paper, and he wrote, "What have they done to me?", jokingly, "..." But I am always totus tuus." This is what I can refer.

Tomorrow at 12:30, we are going to meet, but there is not going to be any medical bulletin. Maybe as far as Sunday is concerned, we can meet tomorrow at 12:30.

The pope did not have any temperature yesterday nor the day before. Apparently, last night he slept only three to four hours. Well, I don't know that exactly, but I know that the people who were there and actually the doctors said that he spent a restful night. He was able to rest. So, it means that, well, probably he was relieved he could breathe again. So, that's why maybe he didn't sleep more than three or four hours.

No more comments. Now, you can leave, because I'm not going to say anything else. I said that his appetite is normal. His feeding is normal. He's eating in a normal way. I am going to repeat all of this in English for the English-language television network, and I am going to say exactly what is written here...

COSTELLO: We're going to jump out of this now, because Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the papal spokesman, is not going to be answering anymore questions, as you heard.

Let's head to Rome now to try to sort through all of this with our CNN Vatican analyst, Delia Gallagher.

Hello -- Delia.

DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN ANALYST: Hi, Carol.

COSTELLO: I must say, Mr. Navarro-Valls made the situation seem very positive.

GALLAGHER: Well, that's his job, of course, Carol. You noticed that he immediately said that elective surgery means only that it wasn't emergency surgery. So, trying to downplay the gravity of this tracheotomy.

On the other hand, he gave us quite a good bit of information there. Particularly interesting, I think, is what the pope wrote to him after the surgery, saying, "What have they done to me?" And then, he said, "I am always totus tuus." That's the Latin phrase. It's the papal motto. It has been for a long time. It means, "All yours," and it's a reference to the Virgin Mary. Of course, we know the pope's dedication to the Virgin Mary, and you just see that coming right back immediately after his surgery.

So, I think that's an interesting indication of the pope's state of health and state of mind -- Carol.

COSTELLO: And the other interesting thing, he said that the pope is thinking about appearing on Sunday, but he hasn't decided yet.

GALLAGHER: Well, again, that's the same sort of willpower of this pope who wants to come back immediately to his people. Now, obviously he's not going to be back in the Vatican on Sunday, even though that hasn't been confirmed by the papal spokesman. But that seems likely that we might see what he did last time; that is an appearance at the window of the hospital. That's probably the most likely scenario if he does anything at all.

But knowing this pope, he is going to want to at least put in an appearance. And knowing the Vatican, they are going to want to assure the world that the pope is indeed OK.

COSTELLO: Just a clarification, because I missed the first part of this news conference. I know the pope was breathing on his own without a respirator, and then the papal spokesman said that doctors asked him not to speak for a few days. I couldn't determine if that meant that the trach had been removed as well.

GALLAGHER: Well, he didn't specify that, but we might assume that with the trach in he wouldn't be able to speak at all. So, he did say that he never had need of the respirator last night or this morning. So, that's something new that we've learned from the papal spokesman.

And, of course, the fact that the pope is eating -- you'd have to talk to your medical consultants -- but that seems to suggest to me that he is able to eat. He was eating coffee and cookies. That seems to suggest somebody who is on the mend.

COSTELLO: Yes. According to Elizabeth Cohen, our medical correspondent, you cannot speak with a trach in, but you can eat. But it seems like the pope ate a lot. He drank coffee with milk, 10 small biscuits and yogurt. And according to his spokesman, he ate it all. So, we'll continue to monitor his...

GALLAGHER: Well...

COSTELLO: Go ahead. Go ahead, Delia.

GALLAGHER: No, I was going to say, he might have been quite hungry. You know, it's been about 15 hours since his surgery. So, I can well imagine that he wanted to eat something.

COSTELLO: Delia Gallagher live from Rome this morning. Thank you.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, he's performed countless shows and has a career that spans decades. Find out what Barry Manilow is up to these days. Here's a look at what else is making news this Friday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is now 6:47 Eastern. Here's what will be making news later today.

The pope's condition has improved. Just moments ago, Pope John Paul's spokesman said the pontiff had a restful night after undergoing a tracheotomy. He's eating. He ate breakfast, 10 cookies, some coffee and some yogurt. As you know, the pope has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize this year, and he just may appear in his hospital window on Sunday. We will continually keep you update on the pope's condition.

Along with U2, front man Bono, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Illinois Governor George Ryan, they're all nominated. They have a record -- we're going to sort through that story. We're talking about the Nobel Peace Prize here. They're all nominated for one. We'll sort that out later this week -- or later next week.

And animal rights activist are upset and ready to protest a new treat called Road Kill Candy. The gummy pieces depict snakes, chickens and squirrels, complete with tire treads.

And in the new issue of "People" on newsstands today, J.Lo breaks the veil of secrecy about her marriage to Latin pop singer Marc Anthony. In her first public acknowledgement of their marital status, Jennifer Lopez is quoted as saying, "Yes, we're married." I mean, come on, everybody knows that's not a secret, but good timing on her part. She has a new album out on Tuesday.

And we'll turn from one heartthrob to another. This one's career spans decades, and he's performed in thousands of shows without ever lip-syncing. We're talking about Barry Manilow. Straight ahead, hear what he has to say about the new generation of pop lip-syncers.

This is DAYBREAK for Friday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: He's been called everything from the "sultan of smultz" (ph) to the "greatest showman of the 70s generation." There is no doubt, though, he is back.

Barry Manilow is hot, not exactly as in Paris Hilton-hot. But to Copaca fans, he is on fire. His new show opens this weekend in Vegas in the very hotel where Elvis once danced around in that white jumpsuit.

I talked with him.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO (voice over): Vegas has become New York-South Beachy kind of place, younger, hipper, and now home to a guy who is so un- hip, he's hip.

BARRY MANILOW, SINGER: Before you start to sing "dancing in the streets," right?

COSTELLO: Yes. Barry Manilow was back. But did he really ever go anywhere?

(on camera): Three thousand concerts.

MANILOW: Hold on. I'm going to do 3,000, or I've already done?

COSTELLO: No, you've already done 3,000.

MANILOW: God, I'm tired.

COSTELLO (voice over): Tired? Forget about it. Here's Barry rehearsing. He sure doesn't act 58.

MANILOW (singing): Dancing in the street. Everybody, there'll be dancing.

COSTELLO: He's the consummate showman who, yes, writes the songs but also sings them, which these days is actually saying something.

I wondered what a legend like Manilow thought about the music industry factory that churns out the prefabricated pop stars of today. They don't stack up, do they?

MANILOW: I think Clay Aiken sings.

COSTELLO (on camera): Ashlee Simpson?

MANILOW: Well, you know, I heard her sing. I didn't think she was that bad. I mean, I think she needs encouragement and maybe a little coaching here and there and maybe, you know, an arranger.

COSTELLO (voice over): That's gracious coming from a man who has never lip-synced, but admits he knows how to turn his weaknesses into strengths.

MANILOW: I can fool you into thinking that I'm a good singer, because I can crawl into the emotion of the song and make you think that I can sing better than I really can. I mean, I'm not bad. It's just that I'm not great. I know what great is.

COSTELLO: His sometimes rabid fans say differently. And over the years, they have given him 13 No. 1 hits to prove it. Not bad for a guy who says that personally he hates pop music.

MANILOW: The last time I turned on the radio, it was you know -- I mean, you know, I listen to classical music. I listen to R&B. Actually what I really love to listen to these days is electronic.

COSTELLO: Funny he should say that. This year, his 1978 hit, "Copacabana" --and don't pretend you don't remember it -- it was remixed by a deejay named Eddie X. And guess what? It shot to No. 1 on the dance charts, prompting a new generation of kids who call themselves "fanilows" and "copaca fans."

(on camera): Manilow will his blend his music and passion here on stage in Las Vegas for the next 30 weeks. And he'll be doing it the old-fashioned way, by connecting with his audience. There will be no lip-syncing here. So, copaca fans, rock on.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Oh, I wanted to hear him sing more. And I wanted to hear that electronic version. Maybe we'll bump out, you know, at the end of the show with that. That would be fun.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes. It was good. You know, I had Barry Manilow 1, 2, 3 and 4. I'm old enough to actually admit it. I had it on album and on cassette.

COSTELLO: Not many people actually come out and admit that. But this man has had 13 No. 1 hits.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And his last tour, 250,000 tickets sold, and they're expecting his Vegas show to be very big. It opens tonight.

MYERS: It is very expensive. Cheap seats are $90-something, and the good ones are 160.

COSTELLO: But, you know, everything is expensive in Vegas.

MYERS: Oh, of course.

COSTELLO: You go see a magic show, and it's 100 bucks.

MYERS: Well, yes. And those...

COSTELLO: So, it's right in line with the rest of the shows.

MYERS: And those really cheap buffets are not so cheap anymore.

COSTELLO: No, they're not.

We'll be right back. As we take you to break, some snapshots of Barry's opening night at the Las Vegas Hilton.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: A little "Copacabana" remix for you after Chad does the travel forecast.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Oh, don't go away yet. You have to announce the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee quiz, because we didn't get to it yesterday.

MYERS: Well, I have it here somewhere. There we go. There is a picture of the old coffee mug. And the winner, Michael Mazurek from Austin, Texas. You guys are up early out there.

COSTELLO: Congratulations, Michael. That cup will be coming your way, wrapped in bubble wrap to assure no breakage.

MYERS: That was the question from Wednesday, because it should have been yesterday, but we were so busy with breaking news we couldn't get to it.

Now, the questions for today. We'll give you the answers on Monday and the winner. Which NFL Hall of Famer is considering a run for governor in Pennsylvania? And where at the Academy Awards held? Daybreak@CNN.com -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Daybreak@CNN.com. Thank you for watching DAYBREAK this morning. We appreciate it.

On Monday also, from fountain drinks to fur, toilet flushes to tat -- to tattoos, rather, the United States has taxes on some rather unusual items. Monday there's more. You get serious about those 1040 forms. We take a lighter look at some of America's wackiest taxes.

And that does do it for us. I'm Carol Costello along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.