The Vatican said there were no complications during the three-hour surgery, which required Francis to be under general anaesthesia. The pontiff was expected to remain at Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days, and all papal audiences were cancelled through June 18.

Dr Sergio Alfieri, director of abdominal and endocrine sciences at Gemelli, who also performed Francis' 2021 colon surgery, said the operation was successful. A short time later, the pope was awake, alert and even joking.

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During the much-awaited appearance Wednesday he recalled the anniversary of the devastating Beirut port explosion and expressed the desire to someday visit Lebanon.

Francis walked unaided to the center of the stage of a Vatican auditorium, smiling as he gestured toward the visitors, before taking his seat in an upholstered chair and then addressing an audience of several hundred pilgrims and tourists, who wore masks as a precaution against COVID-19.

Near the end of an almost hour-long audience, Francis spoke of the Beirut explosion, recalling the "victims, their families, the injured, and all those who lost homes and work" in the blast.

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On his way home from Gemelli Hospital, the pope stopped to pray at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the pope visited the Marian icon Salus Populi Romani. There he "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 has said that the pope is making "normal clinical progress" in his recovery.

While in hospital, Francis made a visit to the Department of Pediatric Oncology on the 10th floor of the hospital.

The Vatican press office distributed photographs of the pope walking through the ward to applause from medical workers and blessing children undergoing treatment.

Then young cancer patients joined Pope Francis as he led the Sunday Angelus from a hospital balcony. It was his first public outing since the operation.

Among the many patients [Pope Francis] has met during these days, he addressed a special thought to those who are bedridden and cannot return home:

"May they live this time as an opportunity, even if experienced in pain, to open themselves with tenderness to their sick brother or sister in the next bed, with whom they share the same human frailty."

Francis will have several more weeks to recover before travelling again in September.

There are plans for him to visit Hungary and Slovakia from Sept. 12-15. Then, in November, he will visit Glasgow, Scotland, to participate in the COP26 climate conference.

Other possible trips are also under review.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

AP News

Catholic News Agency

'Palazzo Migliori' is the building where they live and it is a gift from the Pope for people with no home or place to stay.

Jorge a long-term resident of the poor house held a card with the words "Pope Francis, we are by your side".

Jorge told reporters, "We wish the Pope all the best and hope he heals as soon as possible."

On Sunday, the pontiff made his first public appearance since his surgery.

Holding the lecturn throughout, Francis greeted well-wishers as he stood on a hospital balcony. He offered hearty thanks for all the prayers for his recovery and called health care for all a "precious" good.

"I am happy to be able to keep the Sunday appointment," the pope said. "I thank everyone, and I very much felt your closeness and the support of your prayers," Francis said.

"Thank you from my heart!" exclaimed the pontiff.

Francis ended with his usual invitation to faithful.

"Don't forget to pray for me," drawing rousing applause.

According to the Vatican, Francis, 84, has been recovering following his July 4 scheduled surgery. He underwent an operation to remove a portion of his colon, which had narrowed due to inflammation.

On the morning after his surgery, a Holy See spokesperson said his hospital stay was expected to last seven days, "barring complications". But as yet, the Vatican hasn't said just when he might be discharged.

On Tuesday the Vatican said that "in order to optimise his medical and rehabilitation therapy, the Holy Father will remain in hospital for a few more days".

Pope Francis, Sunday, delivering his Angelus address from balcony at Gemelli accompanied by sick children.

In his ‘Letter from Rome', Robert Mickens has raised concerns about the timing of the pope's surgery.

"Who schedules surgery for late evening?" Mickens asks, "and on Sunday evening at that?"

"Certainly not a normal person. And not even VIPs. No one does, because most studies indicate that surgical operations in the evening are riskier than those performed during the first part of the day."

"It seems credible that Francis' surgery was, indeed, planned. But maybe just not for Sunday night."

So what would be behind the secrecy and timing of the pope's surgery?

Mickens says "there are some serious and even well-founded reasons for invoking the pope's privacy to justify even the slightest secrecy about his state of health."

"Francis has enemies among the cardinals and other influential Church leaders. They would be emboldened in their efforts to block his program of radical change if it were to be disclosed that his health is failing," Mickens suggests.

Sources

• Breaking Latest News
• Live Mint
• La Croix International
• Vatican Press statement