Global Courant
Pope Francis has left the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he underwent a medical check-up and some tests, due to a difficult health period recently.
The Holy Father spent several days in the same hospital at the end of March after being treated for a respiratory infection. While last month, the 86-year-old had to stop waiting because of fever.
Witnesses at the Vatican’s Perugino Gate, one of the main entrances to the city-state, said Pope Francis returned to the Vatican shortly after he was seen leaving the hospital and greeted guards as he usually does.
The Vatican has so far not commented on the exact reason for his visit on Tuesday, but local media reports said he had gone to the hospital’s department specializing in treating elderly patients.
Over the weekend he held a midday prayer in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Francis, who marked his 10th year as pope in March, has suffered from a number of ailments in recent years – and often uses a wheelchair or a cane to walk due to persistent knee pain.
In July 2021, he had part of his colon removed in an operation intended to treat a painful intestinal condition called diverticulitis. He claimed that the same disease had returned again.
The Holy Father is also missing part of one of his lungs, which he had removed when he was young in Argentina. Despite his health problems, the Pope still maintains a busy schedule.
On Saturday, the Vatican announced plans for Francis to visit Mongolia in late August and early September. During his visit, the Pope will visit a small Christian community that is part of his goal to visit Catholics in the periphery of the Church’s reach.
Statistics provided by the non-profit organization, Aid To The Church In Need, show that Mongolia is only 2% Christian. Before this trip, the Holy Father will visit Portugal in early August where he will participate in the World Youth Day in Lisbon and visit the shrine of Fatima.
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