Pope Francis, seeming in good overall condition, appeared in public on Sunday for the first time since undergoing intestinal surgery a week ago, stepping out on a hospital balcony to lead his weekly prayer before hundreds of people.
The 84-year-old pope stood on the balcony of his suite on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Hospital for about 10 minutes, reading from a prepared text but also adding many impromptu remarks.
He appeared to be slightly short of breath at times. He had part of one of his lungs removed when he was a young man in his native Argentina.
Hundreds of people gathered in the open space below shouted "Viva il Papa!" (Long Live the Pope) and doctors and patients stood on other balconies to watch.
Several children who are patients in the hospital appeared with the pope on the balcony.
It was the first time since his election as pope in 2013 that Francis has not read the Sunday prayer and message from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square, expect for when he was traveling.
Nine days after disaster, two pulled alive from Nepal hydropower tunnel
Germany launches manhunt after spate of sabotage attacks on power grid
Air India sack Phuket-Delhi pilot who failed drug test
Wildfires spread near Indonesia's new capital, prompting calls for action
Philippine court issues warrant for VP Duterte's arrest in grave threats case
Typhoon Saudel brings torrential rain, flooding to China's coastal areas
US investigates deadly strike on Iranian wedding
India food safety crackdown targets company of Nepal's 'Noodle King'
