Pope left the Gemelli Hospital and is back in the Vatican

Before returning he went to Rome’s Basilica of Saint Mary Major where, in front of the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani, he thanked her for the success of his operation. During his stay, the pontiff visited the facility’s paediatric oncology ward.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis is back in the Vatican. Shortly before noon he arrived in Casa Santa Marta.

In giving the news, the director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, noted that Francis was discharged from the Gemelli University Hospital shortly after 10.30.

Before returning to the Vatican, the Pope went to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major where, in front of the icon of the Virgin Salus Populi Romani (pictured), he thanked her for the success of his surgery, addressing her a prayer for everyone who is ill, especially those he met during his hospital stay.

Francis was brought to the Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, 4 July. He was operated that same day for "diverticular stenosis of the sigma".

Yesterday afternoon, the Holy Father visited the children in the paediatric oncology ward, which is located on the same 10th floor as his suite.

Immediately before the visit, Ambrogio Sparagna and the Orchestra Popolare Italiana (Italian People’s Orchestra) conducted a performance in the ward.

Thanks to Fondazione Musica per Roma (Music Foundation for Rome), the singer and the orchestra are on a tour of 15 concerts, called L’eco der core, Echo of the Heart (in Romanesco dialect), in cooperation with the Rome chapter of Caritas.

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