Pope holds Angelus from hospital balcony, praises universal healthcare

Rome, Jul 11 (EFE).- Pope Francis on Sunday delivered his Angelus prayer from the balcony of the Rome hospital where he is recovering from colon surgery he underwent this time last week.

The pontiff appeared on the 10th floor of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Catholic hospital alongside several sick children and used the unusual setting for his weekly address to call for universal access to healthcare.

“In these days of being hospitalized, I’ve experienced once again how important good healthcare is, accessible to all, as it is in Italy and in other countries,” he said.

“A healthcare system that is free, that assures good service, and is successful to everyone. This precious benefit must not be lost. It needs to be kept, and this requires everyone’s commitment,” he added.

Pope Francis, 84, had surgery on July 4 for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the large intestine.

The head of the Catholic church expressed his gratitude to the health workers who cared for him over the last week. EFE

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