The Prefecture of the Papal Household announced today that “the Holy Father’s special and general audiences have been cancelled until 18 June for health reasons”. The Pope underwent surgery for an abdominal hernia.
The news came from the Diocese of Teramo-Atri in Abruzzo after “the Bishop sent Pope Francis a message of closeness from the diocese that was preparing to meet him on Saturday 17 June with such enthusiasm and filial affection”.
Pope Francis has returned to his flat on the tenth floor of the Gemelli polyclinic hospital in Rome after undergoing abdominal surgery to fix a hernia. The Pope’s surgery concluded after three hours.
Message from President to Pope
“The whole Italian people is with you”, President Sergio Mattarella told Pope Francis in a message sent from Paris.
“Your Holiness, in view of your admission to the Policlinico Gemelli, I would like to send you my best wishes for the positive outcome of the operation you will undergo this afternoon.
“The whole Italian people is close to you with sentiments of affection and solidarity, which I make fully my own. You can count at this moment, in addition to the prayers of the Catholic faithful, on the sympathetic thoughts of countless people, believers and non-believers alike,” said the Italian head of State in a message during his visit to Paris.
“I renew to Your Holiness the most sincere wish for a serene convalescence, and for a speedy and complete recovery.”
The pope has had a number of recent health issues including a problem with his knee. The Pope even discussed retirement plans last year.
