Pope Francis continues to recover well from the three-hour surgery for an intestinal hernia that he underwent on June 7, the medical team at the Gemelli Hospital that is monitoring his post-operation recovery stated on Friday, June 9.
America has learned from persons who have spoken to the pope that “he is in very good spirits.”
In upbeat communiqués sent to the Vatican accredited media by Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, the medical team said Pope Francis’ “clinical picture is progressively improving, and the post-operation course is regular.”
The “clinical picture” refers to the doctor’s interpretation of the patient’s current condition based on what has happened to him and the symptoms, signs and results of tests and investigations carried out.
Pope Francis continues to recover well from the three-hour surgery for an intestinal hernia that he underwent on June 7, the medical team at the Gemelli Hospital stated on Friday.
Their reports say the pope does not have a fever and that his doctors have “suspended the use of the intravenous drip.” They reported that his “hemodynamic parameters are regular,” referring to his blood flow, and he continues “to feed himself on a liquid diet.”
They reported that Pope Francis had breakfast this morning, and after that he began to move around and “passed the greater part of the morning in an armchair,” during which time he “read the newspapers” and “began to start back at work.” In the afternoon, he spent time in prayer and did some work. Later in the evening he received the Eucharist.
For his part, Pope Francis had the Vatican post this tweet on Friday evening: “I sincerely appreciate the prayers and numerous expressions of closeness and affection received in the past few days. I am praying for everyone, especially those who suffer. I ask you to keep me in your prayers.”
I sincerely appreciate the prayers and numerous expressions of closeness and affection received in the past few days. I am praying for everyone, especially those who suffer. I ask you to keep me in your prayers.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 9, 2023
Mr. Bruni said in the evening’s communique, “Pope Francis is touched by the numerous messages that he continues to receive in these hours and, in a particular way, he wished to thank especially the children who are in the hospital at this time and for the affection and love they have shown him through their drawings and messages.” (America published one of these yesterday.)
Rome’s Gemelli hospital shared with reporters June 9 photographs of some drawings, cards and crafts made by the children and young adults recovering in its pediatric oncology ward.
One drawing of a large rainbow-colored heart being held aloft by many hands said, “Best wishes for getting well.”
Rome’s Gemelli hospital shared with reporters June 9 photographs of some drawings, cards and crafts made by the children and young adults recovering in its pediatric oncology ward.
Inside, the note said, “We really hope you get better soon.... Thank you for everything you do” and “We are waiting for you with open arms,” inviting the pope to visit them in their ward, like he did in March during his last hospital stay at Gemelli for a respiratory infection.
Mr. Bruni said the pope wished to express “his personal gratitude for the closeness and prayer” of these children and of the medical personnel, nurses, health workers and spiritual assistants that everyday touch with their hands the pain [of the patients] and seek to relieve it.”
The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, asked that Catholics “keep Pope Francis and all those in the hospital in your prayers.”
“As Pope Francis recovers from surgery, he is strengthened by faith in the healing power of our merciful God,” he said in a written statement released June 7. “Jesus always walks with us and is even closer whenever we need healing and comfort.”
The Italian bishops’ conference expressed its “closeness and affection” and invited the nation’s Catholics to continue to support the pope with prayer. Italian President Sergio Mattarella said the pope could count on the best wishes of many people of any or no faith.
Shortly after his general audience June 7, the 86-year-old pope was taken to the Rome hospital where he underwent a three-hour abdominal surgery to treat a hernia.
The hernia had developed at the site of abdominal incisions from previous operations many years ago, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the chief surgeon operating on the pope, said at a news conference at the hospital following the operation. Dr. Alfieri, who also operated on the pope in 2021, said the pope had no complications and responded well to the general anesthesia he was administered during this surgery and the one in 2021 that removed part of his colon.
The chief surgeon underscored that, in both operations, all affected tissue had been benign.
“The pope does not have other illnesses,” he said.
Dr. Alfieri explained that while the medical team that follows the pope had been discussing the scheduled operation for several days, the final decision to operate was not taken until June 6, when Pope Francis briefly visited the hospital for a medical checkup and tests.
This story includes reporting from Catholic News Service.
