ROME -- Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since major intestinal surgery last week, greeting well-wishers as he stood for 10 minutes on a hospital balcony, offering hearty thanks for the prayers for his recovery and calling health care for all a “precious” good. “I am happy to be able to keep the Sunday appointment of the Angelus, even here from Gemelli Polyclinic," Francis said. On Sunday, as countless people were vacationing at the shore, Francis urged them to look after “the health of seas." Also Sunday, inside the hospital, the pope chatted with other patients as an aide wheeled him down a corridor. Francis is a huge soccer fan, and roots for the San Lorenzo squad in his native Buenos Aires.

Source: ABC News July 11, 2021 10:08 UTC