All of Pope Francis' private and general audiences until June 18 were canceled, the Vatican said, as the 86-year-old pontiff recovers following abdominal surgery to repair a hernia
"The medical team following the post-operation recovery of the pontiff say that Pope Francis spent a tranquil night, with a prolonged rest," the Vatican said in a statement.
Doctor Sergio Alfieri, the chief surgeon who operated on the pope at Rome's Gemelli hospital, said had reacted well to general anesthesia and that he expected the pontiff to be in hospital for about 5-7 days. Alfieri said he saw no medical reason why the pope would have to change his schedule if the recovery went well, as the surgeon expected it to.A nun kisses the hand of Pope Francis during the weekly general audience on the day he is due to undergo abdominal surgery, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, June 7, 2023.
In his 2021 stay there, Francis recited the traditional Sunday prayer from a balcony on the Catholic-run hospital's 10th floor, which has a suite of rooms reserved only for popes.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What happens to papal power when a pope is unconscious? NothingPope Francis' three-hour surgery Wednesday raised a question about what happens to papal power when a pope is unconscious or otherwise incapacitated and cannot lead the Catholic Church. While many countries regulate the transfer of power when a head of state becomes incapacitated, and the Vatican has governance norms when a pope resigns or dies, none of those regulations apply to a sick, unconscious or hospitalized pope. In other words, Pope Francis was still pope, fully in charge of running the Vatican and the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church, even while under general anesthesia and undergoing surgery to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall.
Read more »
Pope Francis doing well after first night in hospital, Vatican saysPope Francis was doing well on Thursday morning after his first night in hospital following abdominal surgery, the Vatican said.
Read more »
Pope Francis names two priests, one from Mira Mesa, San Diego auxiliary bishopsFather Michael Pham, 56, vicar general of the San Diego diocese and pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Mira Mesa, and Father Felipe Pulido, 53, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Yakima, Wash., will be consecrated as bishops on Sept. 28.
Read more »
Pope Francis to undergo intestinal surgery and will be hospitalized for several daysPope Francis is going to the hospital Wednesday for intestinal surgery, two years after he had 13 inches of his colon removed because of an inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine.
Read more »
Pope Francis to have abdominal surgery on Wednesday - VaticanPope Francis, 86, will have surgery on his abdomen on Wednesday afternoon at Rome's Gemelli hospital, the Vatican said in a statement.
Read more »
Pope Francis to have abdominal surgery on Wednesday - VaticanPope Francis will undertake surgery Wednesday afternoon at Rome's Gemelli hospital.
Read more »