Public appointments cancelled: Pope continues on the road to recovery

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After Pope Francis had to undergo emergency surgery last week, doctors still advise him against getting out of bed. The 86-year-old is not appearing before the faithful for Sunday prayers. However, this is only a precautionary measure.

According to the attending physician, Pope Francis continues to be on the road to recovery after his most recent surgery. The head of the Catholics is fever-free, and his heart and lungs are functioning normally, explained surgeon Sergio Alfieri of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. For precautionary reasons, however, Francis does not appear before the faithful for the Sunday Angelus prayer.

According to Alfieri, doctors advised the 86-year-old Francis against getting up from his bed and thus putting strain on the abdominal wall that had been operated on. He said Francis “currently has no heart problems” and has never had such complaints. However, he said, it is customary to stay in the hospital for four to five days after an operation like the one the pope underwent. According to surgeon Alfieri, doctors recommended Francis spend the entire coming week in the hospital. All of the pope’s public appointments up to and including Sunday of next week have been cancelled.

Pope Francis undergoes urgent surgery.
Francis’ medical team had decided that the Argentine needed surgery for a condition called a laparocele. Laparocele refers to a hernia in the abdominal area. The communication from the Holy See spoke of recurring pain. In addition, there was a risk of intestinal obstruction, it said. That is why the operation, called a laparotomy, which involves opening the abdominal cavity, became necessary.

The Pope’s state of health continues to cause speculation. He has used a wheelchair most of the past year because of persistent pain in his right knee and sciatica. Then, in late March, the head of the Catholic Church spent three nights in the hospital because of bronchitis. Despite his health problems in March, Francis said the resignation was not currently on the table.