Pope Francis in his first public appearance after surgery.
(CNN) -
Pope Francis appeared in public on Sunday for the first time since undergoing surgery for colon diverticulitis last week, giving his weekly Angelus prayer from a hospital window.
"I am happy to be able to fulfill the Sunday Angelus appointment, also here from the Gemelli Polyclinic," said the pope speaking from a balcony of the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, where he is currently recovering.
"In these days of hospitalization, I have experienced how important a good health service is, accessible to all, as it is in Italy and in other countries. A health service that is free, that ensures a good service accessible to all," he added .
Diverticulitis: what is it and how is the disease for which Pope Francis was operated on?
The pontiff also said that his prayers were frequently directed to Haiti in recent days, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and the injury suffered by his wife.
Pope Francis, 84, entered the operating room at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome last Sunday, hours after leading the traditional Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square.
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The Holy Father gradually returns to work, walks, his blood tests are "satisfactory" and "follows the prescribed treatment" after last week's surgery, a Holy See spokesman said on Saturday.
He is expected to leave the hospital in the next few days.
A group of people listen to Pope Francis' prayer given from a hospital window balcony on Sunday.
Surgery of Pope Francis, for diverticulitis
It was "a planned surgical intervention for symptomatic stenotic diverticulitis," according to a statement from the communication office of the Holy See at the time.
Diverticulitis is an inflammation caused when people develop small sacs in the walls of the colon.
The sacs or bags are called diverticula.
It is usually asymptomatic, but can cause discomfort and sometimes bleeding.
It is a common condition that affects more than half of adults in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health in that country, and it is more common as people age.
Hada Messia reported from Rome and Sharon Braithwaite from London.
Pope Francisco
