The Argentinian Pope underwent a three-hour surgery on June 7, performed under general anesthesia, to address a painful hernia near a scar from a previous surgery.
On Friday, Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital after undergoing a hernia operation and made his way to the Vatican. His well-being will be closely monitored as he enters a busy summer schedule.
Sporting a smile, Pope Francis left Rome’s Gemelli hospital at 8:45 am (0645 GMT) in a wheelchair, expressing gratitude to the crowd of well-wishers outside. Since his election in 2013, the 86-year-old Pope has faced various health challenges, including hip problems, knee pain, weight gain, an inflamed colon, and a respiratory infection.
The Argentinian Pope underwent a three-hour surgery on June 7, performed under general anesthesia, to address a painful hernia near a scar from a previous surgery. This marked his third hospital stay since 2021. Following the operation, doctors reported that he woke up in good spirits, engaging in lighthearted banter with the medical team. Regular updates from the hospital have since indicated a steady recovery.
To allow ample time for recovery, the Vatican has canceled papal audiences until June 18. Nevertheless, Pope Francis wasted no time in resuming his work from his suite at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, a facility known as “Vatican III” due to its popularity among pontiffs. The Pope humorously referred to St. Peter’s Square as “Vatican number one,” the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo as “Vatican number two,” and the Gemelli hospital as “number three.”
On Thursday, doctors confirmed that Pope Francis would be discharged on Friday morning. On his final day at the hospital, he went around in a wheelchair, expressing gratitude to the medical staff who cared for him.
