ROME, June 10 (Reuters) - Pope Francis's recovery from surgery is going well but doctors advised him not to deliver his Sunday blessing from a hospital balcony so as not to put strain on his abdominal walls.
Briefing reporters at the Gemelli hospital on Saturday, chief surgeon Sergio Alfieri also said the 86-year-old pope had agreed to doctors' suggestions that he remain there for at least all of next week.
Alfieri said that in 2021, the last time the pope underwent surgery at the same hospital, he did deliver his blessing standing from the balcony, but it was about seven days after the intestinal operation.
We asked the Holy Father to be prudent and avoid the strain (of standing at the balcony)," he said.
He said the pope was taken off intravenous tubes on Friday and was now on a semi-solid diet.
Persons:
Sergio Alfieri, Francis, Alfieri, Philip Pullella, Angelo Amante, Hugh Lawson
Organizations:
Thomson