‘Do not be afraid, we are with you!’: Four kids in children’s hospital send Pope Francis a get-well card
Four
children from Bambino Gesú Children’s Hospital in Rome sent a colorful
drawing to the pope, depicting him in a hospital bed, with the message,
“Do not be afraid, we are with you!” (Vatican Media)Pope Francis is recovering well from the three-hour operation that he underwent yesterday at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for an incisional hernia, his medical team reported in a statement at midday today, June 8.
It said he “had a tranquil night” and “was able to rest in a prolonged way.” The team reported that “he is alert and breathing spontaneously” and “his general condition is good.” According to the statement, “the routine control tests” that were carried out “are good,” too. It concluded by saying, “He will observe the necessary post-operation rest for the rest of the day.”
Four children from Bambino Gesú Children’s Hospital in Rome sent a colorful drawing to the pope, depicting him in a hospital bed, with the message, “Do not be afraid, we are with you!”
The information provided by the pope’s medical team was sent to the Vatican-accredited media by Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, who said that Pope Francis “has been informed of the messages of closeness and affection that have continued to arrive [for him] in these past hours and expressed his gratitude for these.”
Messages have come in from all over the world, including from the president of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, and from the White House. Messages have also come from cardinals and bishops conferences around the world, including from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, many of whom have called on the faithful to pray for his rapid recovery.
Four children from Bambino Gesú Children’s Hospital in Rome sent a colorful drawing to the pope, depicting him in a hospital bed, with the message, “Do not be afraid, we are with you!”
“Pope Francis asks [people] to continue praying for him,” Mr. Bruni said.
The medical report was the second substantial update provided on the pope’s condition. Earlier this morning, the Vatican issued a one-line reassuring statement saying the pontiff “passed the night well” and promised a report after midday.
Last evening, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the surgeon who carried out the operation on the pope yesterday as well as the operation on his colon on July 4, 2021, gave a press conference at the Gemelli Hospital soon after the pope had woken up from the operation and the general anesthesia.
Dr. Alfieri’s detailed report brought great relief to Vatican officials as well as to Catholics and other people across the world, and today’s midday medical report added to the growing conviction that the 86-year-old pope is on the road to full recovery. Responding to questions from journalists, the doctor said, “From a medical perspective, after he is discharged, he can return to his work and travel.” He revealed that “the only thing that we said he should not do is to lift weights or push himself [physically], at which point the pope looked at us with outstretched hands as if to say, ‘But what should I do, I am the pope!’”
Based on the remarks made by Dr. Alfieri yesterday regarding the average recovery time for this sort of operation—five to seven days—it seems likely that Pope Francis will remain in hospital for at least one week to ensure that his recovery is progressing well. It also seems likely that Pope Francis will recite the Angelus prayer at midday on Sunday from the window of his suite on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Hospital as he did in July 2021, when he was hospitalized for 10 days after his colon operation, but the Vatican will not confirm that until Saturday or Sunday morning.
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