Pope Francis is clearly feeling much better after a lengthy hospital stay, headed home with a big toothy grin on his face.
The 86-year-old pontiff was discharged from Gemelli Hospital Friday morning following a nine-day stay, during which he underwent surgery to fix an abdominal hernia — and his doctors say the procedure was a success.
His surgeon, Sergio Alfieri, told reporters … “The pope is well. He is in better shape than before.” Alfieri also said the pope was in a lot of pain from previous stomach surgeries, and the scar tissue posed a potential risk of intestinal blockage. However, he insisted Pope Francis suffered no complications during his June 7 surgery.
After his discharge … the pope was placed in a wheelchair and rolled out of the medical facility, smiling and waving at a crowd of well-wishers assembled outside the main entrance. A security detail helped Francis into a waiting car, which then drove him around the Italian capital to see a few sites before heading back to the Vatican.
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Francis is expected to deliver his weekly prayer this Sunday and keep all of his appointments with the exception of meeting with a general audience next Wednesday.
