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Pope Recovery Going Well But Will Skip Sunday Blessing


FILE - In this file photo dated July 11, 2021, Pope Francis appears on a balcony of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome.
FILE - In this file photo dated July 11, 2021, Pope Francis appears on a balcony of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome.

Pope Francis's recovery from surgery is going well but doctors advised him not to deliver his Sunday blessing from a hospital balcony so as not to put strain on his abdominal walls.

Briefing reporters at the Gemelli hospital Saturday, chief surgeon Sergio Alfieri also said the 86-year-old pope had agreed with doctors' suggestions that he remain there for at least all next week.

Francis underwent a three-hour operation to repair an abdominal hernia Wednesday.

An external view of the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic in Rome, June 8, 2023, where Pope Francis underwent surgery to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall.
An external view of the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic in Rome, June 8, 2023, where Pope Francis underwent surgery to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall.

Alfieri said that in 2021, the last time the pope underwent surgery at the same hospital, he did deliver his blessing standing from the balcony, but it was about seven days after the intestinal operation.

"Each time he gets out of bed and sits in an armchair puts stress on the abdominal walls. Only three days have passed. We asked the Holy Father to be prudent and avoid the strain (of standing at the balcony)," he said.

He said the pope was taken off intravenous tubes Friday and was now on a semi-solid diet. All medical parameters were within the norm and there were no cardiac problems.

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    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

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