Rome’s Gemelli hospital
By Vatican News staff reporter
Jun 12 2023
The medical team attending Pope Francis reports that he has no fever and remains on a liquid diet, and the Holy See Press Office says the Pope received the Eucharist on Friday evening and has expressed his gratitude for the many messages of closeness he has received.
The post-operative recovery of Pope Francis, who remains in hospital following his 7 June hernia surgery, is continuing along a regular trajectory, according to his medical team.
The latest update on the Pope’s health was provided on Friday evening by the Holy See Press Office. The statement by the Director of the Press Office, Matteo Bruni, also noted that Pope Francis’ blood pressure is within normal parameters, the IV drip has been suspended, and the Pope is now on a liquid diet.
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Mr. Bruni reported that during the afternoon on Friday, the Pope spent some time in prayer and devoted himself to various duties. He received Holy Communion in the evening.
“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages he continues to receive at this time. In particular, he desires to turn his thoughts to the children currently in hospital, and to thank them for their love and affection, which he has felt through their drawings and messages,” read Mr. Bruni’s statement.
Pope Francis, he continued, “thanks the children for their closeness and prayers, and also expresses his gratitude to the medical staff, nurses, healthcare workers, and spiritual assistants who daily touch the pain of others, in order to relieve their burdens.”
The note echoed an expression of gratitude posted to the Pope’s Twitter account, @Pontifex, earlier on Friday evening.
A smooth recovery
Earlier, on Friday morning, the Holy See Press Office had reported the Pope’s clinical picture is “progressively improving” and that the post-operative course of recovery is “regular.”
After having breakfast, Pope Francis was able to move about, but “spent most of the morning in an armchair”, which “allowed him to read the newspaper” and to begin resuming work. – Vatican News
