Pope Francis Delivers Prayer After First Public Appearance Since Surgery

Pope Francis made an appearance on Sunday for the first time since his colon diverticulitis surgery last week, as he held his Angelus prayer from a hospital, according to CNN.

“I am happy to be able to keep the Sunday appointment of the Angelus, even here from the Gemelli Polyclinic,” the Pope said speaking from a balcony of the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome where he is currently recovering. 

“In these days of being hospitalized I’ve experienced once again how important good health care is, accessible to all, as it is in Italy and in other countries. A health care system that is free, that assures good service accessible to everyone,” he has said. 

The Pontiff has said that his prayers go out to the people of Haiti after the assassination of their president and the wounding of his wife. 

The 84-year-old pontiff entered surgery in Rome’s Gemelli hospital last Sunday, hours after conducting the traditional Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope is slowly but surely resuming work as his blood tests came out to be satisfactory and he is continuing his prescribed treatment. He is expected to be released from the hospital in the next couple of days.