His Holiness Pope Francis discharged from hospital, returns to Vatican
His Holiness Pope Francis discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital following abdominal surgery (Vatican Media)
His Holiness Pope Francis returns to the Vatican on Friday morning after he is discharged from the Gemelli Policlinic hospital following his hernia-related surgery on 7 June, making his usual detour to pray before the Blessed Mother at Santa Maria Maggiore, and a private visit to greet some nuns.
By Vatican News staff reporter
His Holiness Pope Francis was released from Gemelli Hospital on Friday morning following his abdominal surgery on 7 June, and has returned to the Vatican.
As he left the hospital, Pope Francis stopped his car briefly to greet those present, pausing for a moment for some salutations.
In a brief statement Thursday, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, informed the press that Pope Francis would be released from the hospital this morning.
The Pope's surgeon, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, said the Pope is well, even better than before.
The Pope, responding to some journalists' questions about how he is, said "I am still alive," and expressed his sorrow for the tragic deaths of migrants in Greece.
Following the Pope's departure from the hospital, he maintained his tradition of making a detour to Rome's Marian basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pause in prayer before the icon of the Blessed Mother, Salus Populi Romani.
File photo of Pope Francis praying at Santa Maria Maggiore
The Holy Father had likewise stopped in the Basilica when returning to the Vatican, following his hospitalizations for bronchitis on 1 April 2023, and after his colon surgery on 14 July 2021.
Prior to returning to the Vatican, through the Perugino Gate, the Holy Father made a private visit to the religious sisters of the Maria Santissima Bambina Institute, near the Vatican, who were gathered in Rome for their General Chapter.
Outside the Perugino gate, the Pope greeted the law enforcement officers outside the gate and thanked them for their service.
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