Sun 11 July 2021:
Pope Francis on Sunday made his first appearance since his intestinal surgery and spent some time addressing the public from the balcony of the Agostino Gemelli Hospital in Rome.
Pope Francis usually says his Sunday prayer from the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, but last week’s surgery prompted a change of plans. Even though the Pope seemed tired, he was visibly pleased, too, as he greeted the crowd, which, in turn, showered him with applause and screams of joy.
Standing on the balcony with him were some children who are also hospitalized at the polyclinic, a major Catholic teaching hospital on the outskirts of Rome.
Reading from prepared remarks, he kept one or both hands on a lectern for support, including when he raised an arm in blessing.
“I would like to thank all of you. I really felt you being close and the support of your prayers. A heartful thank you,” the Pope said.
He thanked doctors, medical workers and all hospital staff who had been working tirelessly during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pope remarked on the importance of affordable healthcare.
“We cannot lose this percious benefit. It must be preserved,” the Pope said.
Francis, 84, has been steadily on the mend, according to the Vatican, following his July 4 scheduled surgery to remove a portion of his colon which had narrowed due to inflammation. But it hasn’t said just when he might be discharged. On the morning after his surgery, a Holy See spokesperson said his hospital stay was expected to last seven days, “barring complications.”
Since his election to the Apostolic throne in March 2013, Pope Francis rarely sought medical help and the last surgery he underwent was a cataract surgery in 2018.
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