Pope Francis continues to make progress in his post-surgery recovery and celebrated Mass in a private chapel on Friday. America’s Vatican correspondent, Gerard O'Connell, reports.

Pope Francis continues to recover well from the intestinal operation he underwent on July 4. He has walked in the corridor, resumed work, celebrated Mass, and is eating regularly.

Pope Francis had a temporary fever last evening, July 7. But routine microbiological examinations and a CT scan of his chest and abdomen carried out this morning came back negative.

Part of the intestine that was removed during the pope’s surgery showed that he suffered from a “severe” restriction of the bowel. America’s Vatican correspondent, Gerard O'Connell, provides an update.

Pope Francis continues to recover after his intestinal operation on Sunday evening but wishes to keep media coverage of his hospital stay succinct and low-key, reports Gerard O’Connell.

Pope Francis, 84, underwent a pre-planned surgery for a restriction of the sigmoid portion of the large intestine at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome this Sunday afternoon.

A trial of this nature and dimension has no precedent in the history of the Vatican in the modern era.

“Lebanon cannot be left prey to the course of events or those who pursue their own unscrupulous interests,” Pope Francis said on the day of prayer and reflection for peace in Lebanon.

“Only a free church is a credible church,” Pope Francis declared in his homily on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Vatican sources said that during the meeting they “touched on all the hot button issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the Holy Land and China.”