Pope Francis' overall condition is progressively improving and his post-surgical recovery is normal, allowing him to get out of bed and resume handling some Church work from his hospital armchair on Friday,

Pope Francis has issued a message for the first time since undergoing abdominal surgery, asking the faithful to “keep me in your prayers.”

Pope Francis is recovering normally, 'steadily improving' from abdominal surgery he had two days ago, according to the Vatican.

Pope Francis’s medical team reported Friday morning that two days after undergoing surgery for an abdominal hernia, the pontiff is continually improving and spent the morning reading following a lengthy rest the day before.

Pope Francis was “progressively improving” following surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, the Vatican said.

At the recommendation of his doctors, Pope Francis will not pray the Sunday Angelus in public, the Vatican said Saturday. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said at a press conference June 10 the pope would pray the Angelus in private at 12:00 p.

Pope Francis will have surgery on his abdomen and remain in a Rome hospital for several days, the Vatican said on Wednesday in the latest health concern for the 86-year-old pontiff.