Pope reappears after surgery

Pope Francis, seeming in good overall condition, appeared in public on Sunday for the first time since undergoing intestinal surgery a week ago and made a plea for free universal healthcare. The 84-year-old pope, who had part of his colon removed in the surgery, stepped out on the balcony of his suite on the 10th floor of Rome’s Gemelli hospital to lead his weekly prayer before hundreds of cheering people below.

He stood 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 and his voice was occasionally raspy. 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 waved national flags. Doctors and patients stood on other balconies to watch. In the mostly improvised part of his talk, Francis said good healthcare should be accessible to all and free.

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