Pope Francis, who is in hospital following an operation for an abdominal hernia, has been able to get up, take a few steps and has spent a few hours working, as well as resting and praying, the Vatican indicated this Sunday.
The head of the Catholic Church prayed the Angelus in the chapel of the private flat on the tenth floor of the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he was admitted on Wednesday for surgery.
Doctors have advised the 86-year-old pontiff not to celebrate the Angelus prayer publicly from the hospital to avoid efforts that might jeopardise the healing of the mesh that was applied to the abdominal wall during the surgical intervention.
According to the medical report released this morning, the Pope remains fever-free and has undergone respiratory physiotherapy.
Before the Angelus prayer, Francis watched the Holy Mass on television and received the Eucharist. Lunch took place in the company of doctors, nurses, aides and members of the Vatican police.
The medical team has recommended that the Pope remain hospitalised for at least the next week for a successful recovery.
The leader of the Catholic Church will be in Portugal between August 2 and 6 to preside over World Youth Day.
