Pope Francis remains in hospital

Pope Francis is in hospital in Rome. (Photo: Vatican News)

Pope Francis is continuing his recovery from hernia surgery in hospital. 

The Pope, 86, underwent surgery last Wednesday to repair the hernia and remove painful internal scarring from past surgeries. 

He remained in hospital on Sunday and refrained from giving his traditional public blessing on the advice of doctors.

The Holy See Press Office said he instead followed Mass on TV and recited the Angelus prayer and received the Eucharist in private. 

The Pope is being treated at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he had lunch with staff treating him in his private apartment.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office on Sunday described his condition as stable, and said that he had undergone respiratory physiotherapy and was able to move about.

"The medical staff has informed us that the post-operative recovery of Pope Francis is normal," the statement said. 

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.