loading…
Pope Francis underwent abdominal hernia surgery on Wednesday (7/6/2023). Photo/REUTERS
VATICAN – Pope Francis underwent abdominal hernia surgery on Wednesday (7/6/2023). Pope Francis’ recovery from the operation is going well.
But doctors advised the pope not to say mass on Sunday (11/6/2023) from the hospital balcony to avoid straining his stomach.
Addressing reporters at the Gemelli hospital on Saturday, chief surgeon Sergio Alfieri also said the 86-year-old pope had agreed with doctors to stay there for at least the next week.
Pope Francis underwent a three-hour operation to repair an abdominal hernia on Wednesday.
“Only three days have passed. We ask the Holy Father to be careful and avoid tension (standing on the balcony),” said Alfieri.
She explains, “Every time he gets out of bed and sits in the armchair it puts pressure on the abdominal wall.”
A mesh prosthetic is inserted into the abdominal wall to help it heal and doctors want it to settle down and attach properly to avoid another operation if it is damaged, he said.
“You can understand how it was unpleasant for him, and for me,” Alfieri joked.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope would say the Angelus prayer at noon Sunday in his hospital room and the faithful could say it at the same time.
