Pope Francis Skips Weekly Public Blessing While Recovering From 3-Hour Abdominal Surgery

Pope Francis followed his doctor's advice and skipped Sunday's customary weekly public blessings. The pope is still recovering after undergoing abdominal surgery.

Pope Francis' Health After Surgery

While recovering from abdominal surgery in a hospital in Rome, Pope Francis took a few steps, watched Mass on television, and completed some work, according to the Vatican, US News reported.

Along with physicians, nurses, other medical personnel, and members of his security detail, Pope Francis also had lunch in his hospital apartment on the 10th level, according to a written statement from Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni.

The 86-year-old pontiff has started a semi-liquid diet, according to the surgeon who performed the three-hour surgery on Wednesday to fix an abdominal hernia and remove uncomfortable internal scarring that had developed due to prior operations.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri also informed reporters that the medical staff had expressed their concerns to Pope Francis regarding the possibility that he might exert himself excessively and tear a prosthetic mesh that had been inserted as part of the hernia repair if he gave the noontime public blessing and greeting from a balcony down the hall from his hospital room.

Another procedure would be necessary if that occurred. Typically, the public blessing lasts for around 15 minutes.

Bruni stated on Sunday that the pontiff's rehabilitation was going according to plan, citing the opinions of medical professionals. He had respiratory physical therapy and kept moving.

Bruni added that the pope attended Holy Mass live on television on Sunday morning before receiving the Eucharist and reciting the Angelus, a customary noon prayer.

Francis' return to the Vatican is not scheduled to happen anytime soon. Alfieri claimed on Saturday that the medical personnel had urged him to stay in the hospital for the entire week to be better prepared to handle his demanding workload once he returned home.

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Pope Francis' Health Before Abdomen Surgery

Francis had a persistent knee issue that made walking difficult even before surgery. He travels in a wheelchair or with a cane, depending on the distance.

Due to an infection, Francis had a lung removed as a young man; therefore, his pulmonary function is closely monitored. The pope spent a few days in the same hospital in March, getting intravenous antibiotics for bronchitis that had given him a fever.

Seven days after having surgery to remove a constricted part of his colon two years prior, Francis gave a Sunday blessing from a hospital balcony on the 10th level while being joined by a few ill kids. Ten days following the surgery, he was given the all-clear.

Pope Francis has also given an update about his condition on social media. He took to Twitter and said he appreciated the public's prayers and numerous expressions of affection. He added that he was also praying for everyone, especially those suffering. He asked everyone to keep him in his prayers as he recovered.