Dr. Sergio Alfieri, who operated on Pope Francis, is optimistic that he will be able to resume his travel schedule. Less than two months after the operation, the Pope is expected to travel to World Youth Day and then Mongolia.
Dr. Alfieri says that, if no problems arise and everything continues as it has been, Pope Francis will be able to travel.
DR. SERGIO ALFIERI
Other 86-year-olds couldn't do it. But he could. Because it says 86 on his ID card, which he doesn't have, but if you have the privilege of being with him, you will see that this man has the head of a 60-year-old.
Nevertheless, Dr. Alfieri asked the Pope to stay and recover in the hospital for a week. And he explained why.
DR. SERGIO ALFIERI
Compared to other people his age, he doesn't just come home and sit in front of the television and relax. That is, when he comes home, he is the head of a government and the head of, let's say, millions. He's the head of the Church, of Christianity. In short, he's an 86-year-old person who has important responsibilities and therefore, it's very important that he returns strong.
The doctor also asked Pope Francis not to do what he did the last time he was at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, when he went out on the balcony to recite the Angelus with the faithful. Dr. Alfieri said that on that occasion the Pope had already been resting for several days. He said it is important that Pope Francis move as little as possible.
DR. SERGIO ALFIERI
What is the problem? If in the following days we do not pay special attention to the healing process or we do not take care of the net that we put in the abdominal wall, if the net tears, to use a non-medical term, this forces us to operate again.
On the other hand, Dr. Alfieri denied that Pope Francis has had or currently has heart problems. He also said that the Pope's condition is stable and that he has already switched from a liquid diet to a semi-liquid diet.
JRB
TR: KG
