Pope Francis has penned a letter of thanks to the staff at Gemelli Hospital in Rome where he recently spent nine days recovering from abdominal surgery. Source: Vatican News.
Describing Gemelli Hospital as “a place of suffering and hope”, Pope Francis sent the letter of gratitude to the entire hospital staff, whose care and attention, he said, were crucial in helping him get better after his June 7 surgery to repair a hernia.
The letter was addressed to Marco Elefanti, president of the Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli Foundation, which runs the hospital.
It was the third time the pontiff received treatment at the hospital after having undergone surgery for a “symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon” in July 2001 and three days of treatment for bronchitis in June 2023.
“In that place of suffering and hope, once again I was able to enjoy the family-like, fraternal and welcoming atmosphere, which was hugely helpful for my recovery after the operation,” he wrote.
The Pope said his “heartfelt appreciation goes to the entire Gemelli Hospital community for its human and spiritual closeness”.
Concluding, he sent his blessings, asked for prayers, and “fraternally” assured Dr Elefanti of his own prayers for him and his family.
A note released by hospital board directors said they had shared “the joy and emotion for the words of the Holy Father” with the entire staff.
FULLS TORY
Pope thanks hospital staff for post-operation ‘fraternal care and attention’ (By Linda Bordoni, Vatican News)
