Pope Francis leaves the hospital 10 days after surgery to have half his colon removed
Pope Francis has returned to the Vatican more than a week after undergoing surgery.
The pope on Wednesday was discharged from a hospital in Rome 10 days after he underwent surgery to have half of his colon removed, The Associated Press reports. The Vatican's spokesperson said Francis visited the Santa Maria Maggiore basilica on his way home and "expressed his gratitude for the success of his surgery and offered a prayer for all the sick, especially those he had met during his stay in hospital."
The Vatican previously said that Francis was in "good, overall condition, alert and breathing spontaneously" after undergoing surgery due to a narrowing in his large intestine. Though the Vatican said the surgery was previously scheduled, The New York Times notes it "alarmed many because of the seriousness of the surgery and the Vatican's history of obfuscation when it comes to the health of pontiffs," and according to The Associated Press, he stayed in the hospital a few days longer than expected. On Sunday, though, Francis made his first public appearance since the surgery, leading prayer from the hospital balcony.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"In these days of being hospitalized, I have experienced once again how important good health care is — accessible to all, as it is in Italy and in other countries," he said. "This precious benefit must not be lost. It needs to be kept."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 23, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - qualifications, tax cuts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
Pope seeks inquiry on if Gaza assault is 'genocide'
Speed Read In a book for the Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis considers whether Israel's war in Gaza meets the legal definition of 'genocide'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Church of England head resigns over abuse scandal
Speed Read Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby faced backlash over his handling of a notorious child abuser
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Catholic synod ends with no resolution on women
Speed Read At a major Vatican meeting, Pope Francis did not address ordaining women as deacons
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pope Francis expels 10 for 'sadistic' abuses in Peru sect
Speed Read The Vatican uncovered abuses within the Sodalitium, a controversial Catholic movement centered in Peru
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Pope urges climate action, unity at Jakarta mosque
Speed Read The pope and the mosque's top cleric signed a joint declaration encouraging religious tolerance and climate change action
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Strident Pope Francis critic faces schism trial
Speed Read Carlo Maria Viganò called for the resignation of Pope Francis in 2018
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pope apologizes for reported homophobic slur
Speed Read Pope Francis reportedly used a vulgar term for gay men in a closed-door meeting
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The Vatican's stand on gender-affirming care
Speed Read A new published document condemns gender transition, calling it a threat to human dignity
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published