Pope Francis leaves hospital nine days after abdominal surgery

Nine days after his abdominal operation, Pope Francis, 86, left Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday morning to return to the Vatican, where his health must be further watched ahead of a busy summer.

Hip problems, knee pain, operations, respiratory infection: The Argentine Jesuit has experienced recurring medical problems since his election in 2013.

Jorge Bergoglio underwent a three-hour operation under general anesthesia on June 7 to reabsorb painful “adhesions” in his abdominal wall, consequences of his colon operation in July 2021 that had already led to a ten-day hospitalization.

Throughout his recovery, the Vatican issued reassuring daily health bulletins, citing a “fair course,” a good clinical picture and “normal blood tests.”