Still In The Post-Operation Recovery Process, Pope Francis Doesn't Give General Blessings On Sunday

JAKARTA - Pope Francis gave no blessing Sunday in public, as his recovery from surgery went normal and he had started physical therapy to help his breathing, the Vatican said.

As previously announced, the 86-year-old whale did not say Angelus prayers on Sunday in public, watching Mass on television, the statement said.

Doctors have recommended that he avoid pressure on his stomach, after three hours of surgery at Rome's Gemelli hospital to repair hernia on Wednesday.

"What could be a better chance than being able to support the Pope here in Gemelli?" said Giovanna Vitiello of Pompeii, who went there for medical tests and prayed under the window of the hospital where the Pope was being treated.

"I sent him the best prayers and hugs because without him, we would feel like sheep lost," he continued.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis will stay in hospital for at least this week. Meetings have been canceled until June 18.

The Pope has two planned trips for this summer, to Portugal on August 2-6 and Mongolia on August 31-4 September.

The Vatican statement on Sunday said the Pope showed no signs of fever and had a normal blood rate.

In addition, Pope Francis also received communication, the statement added.