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The Vatican hasn’t said just when the pope might be discharged. The morning after his surgery, a Holy See spokesperson said his hospital stay was expected to last seven days, “barring complications.”
The pontiff’s voice sounded weak as he began his remarks after stepping onto a balcony outside his special suite at Gemelli Polyclinic at noon local time. But he smiled broadly at those gathered below, including hospital patients well enough to temporarily leave their rooms to cheer for him.
POPE FRANCIS HAD A FEVER 3 DAYS AFTER INTESTINAL SURGERY
Noon is the hour when traditionally he would have appeared from a window at the world-regions overlooking St. Peter’s Square to recite the Angelus, or prayer. Exactly a week earlier in his public remarks, he had given no hint that in a few hours he would enter the hospital for surgery.
“I am happy to be able to keep the Sunday appointment of the Angelus, even here from Gemelli Polyclinic,” Francis said. “I thank everyone. I felt your closeness and the support of your prayers.”
“Thank you from my heart!” exclaimed the pontiff, smiling as he peered over the railing to better see the faithful below.
Standing on the balcony with him were some children who are also hospitalized at Gemelli, a major Catholic teaching hospital on the outskirts of Rome. The crowd below clapped often in encouragement.
Francis underwent three hours of surgery under general anesthesia the evening of July 4, and later that night was described by the Holy See as having responded well.
Reading from prepared remarks, he kept one or both hands on a lectern for support, including when he raised an arm in blessing.
The pope praised the “tenderness” of those who care for the sick, which he said was “like a caress that makes you feel better, eases the pain and picks you up.”
“In these days of hospitalization, I experienced yet again how important a good health service is, accessible to all, as it is in Italy and other countries,” Francis said.
“We mustn’t lose this precious thing,” the pope said. He added that “sometimes it happens in the (Catholic) church that some health care institution, because of poor management, doesn’t go well economically, and the first thought that comes to our mind is to sell it. But the vocation in the church is not to have money, it’s to give service.”
Pope Francis appears on a balcony of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, Sunday, July 11, 2021, where he is recovering from intestinal surgery, for the traditional Sunday blessing and Angelus prayer. Pope Francis is 84 and had a part of his colon removed a week ago. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
SPIDER-MAN SWINGS THROUGH THE VATICAN TO MEET POPE FRANCIS
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Without citing specific issues, he also voiced hope that “Europe may be united in its founding values,” a possible reference to tensions between European Union leaders and member Hungary over LGBTQ rights crackdowns.
Besides his apparent swift recovery, Francis had another reason to smile on Sunday.
Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America soccer final overnight. Francis is a huge soccer fan, and roots for the San Lorenzo squad in his native Buenos Aires.
