Pope Francis Returns to Vatican Duties Following Surgery, Expresses Gratitude to Supporters Chanting ‘Long Live the Pope!’

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Following his release from the hospital, Pope Francis returned to his familiar Sunday tradition of addressing the public at St. Peter’s Square two days post-discharge. He expressed his appreciation for the support and comfort he received during his post-surgical period and acknowledged the crowd who were enthusiastically shouting “Long live the pope!”

Prior to delivering his planned speech, the Pope showed his gratitude for the “affection, attention, and friendship” as well as the reaffirmation of prayerful support he received while undergoing abdominal surgery on June 7 at a Rome hospital. The surgery was performed to repair a hernia and eliminate persistent and increasingly painful intestinal scarring.

Francis, addressing approximately 15,000 people in the square, emphasized that this “human and spiritual closeness” served as a significant aid and solace. Despite sounding slightly breathless and hoarse, the 86-year-old pontiff expressed his heartfelt thanks, often gesturing with his hands for emphasis and making spontaneous additions to his prepared speech. He appeared genuinely pleased to return to his regular duties.

The public reception was notably more enthusiastic than usual when the pope made his appearance at the window of the Apostolic Palace. The usual applause and cheers were amplified this time around, reflecting the public’s joy after Francis missed his Sunday appearance on June 11 due to his three-hour surgery under general anesthesia.

Although he appeared joyous to see the gathering below, Francis’s tone turned solemn as he remarked on the upcoming World Refugee Day, an event championed by the United Nations. He expressed deep sorrow over the recent catastrophic shipwreck off the coast of Greece involving an overloaded fishing boat carrying hundreds of migrants that tragically sank in the Mediterranean Sea last week.

Francis reiterated his prayers for the victims of the disaster and stressed the need for comprehensive measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. With survivors claiming that the boat carried as many as 750 people, concerns persist over the high probable loss of life and questions over the Greek coast guard’s potential for timely intervention to prevent the tragedy.

Additionally, the Pope offered prayers for the young victims of a horrific attack on a school in western Uganda. Suspected rebels targeted a school near the Congo border, leading to the tragic death of 42 individuals, including 38 students residing in dormitories, with several students also kidnapped.

Francis voiced his anguish over the persistent global conflict and urged for prayers for peace. He also implored his audience to remember those persecuted in Ukraine after last year’s invasion by Russia.

As he concluded his address, the crowd erupted in chants of “Long live the pope” in Italian, to which the pope quickly responded with gratitude. As he resumes his Vatican responsibilities, his medical team has advised him to take adequate rest.

The pope is set to receive Brazil’s president on Wednesday afternoon, as announced by the Vatican. To ensure his full recovery, Francis will not be conducting the usual Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

The pope’s schedule in August includes a pilgrimage to Portugal for a youth event, and later that month, he plans to make a historical visit to Mongolia, becoming the first pontiff to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pope Francis’ Post-Surgery Return