Hospitalized Pope Francis walks a little, follows mass on television, has lunch with medical staff and his assistants

ROME (AP) — Sticking to doctors’ advice, Pope Francis skipped his usual weekly public blessing Sunday as he recovers from abdominal surgery at a Rome hospital, but took some steps, followed mass on television and did some work, the Vatican said. .

Francis also had lunch in his 10th floor hospital apartment with doctors, nurses, other medical staff and members of his security detail, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. written communication.

The surgeon who performed the three-hour operation on Wednesday to repair an abdominal hernia and remove painful internal scars from previous operations said the 86-year-old pontiff had started a semi-liquid diet.

Dr. Sergio Alfieri also told reporters that medical staff had made it clear to Francis their concerns that if the pontiff delivered the public midday blessing and salute from a balcony down the hall from his hospital room, he might overexert himself and tear a prosthetic mesh inserted as part of the hernia repair.

If this happened, it would require another operation. The public blessing usually lasts about 15 minutes.

Citing the assessment of medical staff, Bruni said Sunday that the pontiff’s recovery was progressing normally. “He did respiratory physiotherapy and continued to be mobile,” Bruni said.

When he was young, Francis had part of a lung removed due to an infection. His lung function is therefore closely monitored. In March, the pontiff spent a few days in the same hospital for intravenous antibiotic treatment for bronchitis that had caused him a fever.

On Sunday morning, the pope “followed the mass live on television and received the Eucharist,” Bruni said. Francis then recited the traditional midday prayer known as the Angelus in a small chapel in the papal apartment that Gemelli keeps ready for whenever pontiffs might need hospitalization.

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On Sunday evening, the Vatican provided an update on the pope’s progress, saying he had spent the afternoon well. “Pope Francis was able to take a few steps. He dedicated a few hours to work, alternating this with rest and prayer,” the Holy See press service said.

Even before the surgery, Francis had difficulty walking due to a chronic knee problem. Depending on the distance, he uses either a wheelchair or a cane to get around.

No date has been announced for Francis’ return to the Vatican. But Alfieri revealed on Saturday that medical staff were encouraging him to spend this whole week in hospital so that he would be in better shape to handle his heavy workload once he returned home.

Two years ago, when Francis underwent surgery to remove a narrowed part of his colon, the pontiff, surrounded by some hospitalized children, delivered a Sunday blessing from the balcony of a 10th floor hospital, seven days after this procedure. He was discharged 10 days after the operation.