TWEETING out to his millions of followers online and to the billion more Catholics around the world, Pope Francis gave thanks for all the prayers and messages he received during his time in hospital this week.
“I am touched by the many caring messages received in these days,” he said in his Tweet.
“I thank everyone for their closeness and prayer.”
Pope Francis underwent major surgery on his colon at Gemelli Hospital on Sunday.
Among the many prayers was one from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who was praying for a return to good health for Pope Francis.
Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople also sent a message to Pope Francis expressing his “fraternal wishes for a speedy recovery,” assuring him of his prayers.
He also expressed his trust in the success of the operation, adding he hopes to meet again to continue carrying out “the indispensable mission of unity, to which Christ calls us”.
Holy See Press Office director Matteo Bruni said Pope Francis was recovering well.
“His Holiness Pope Francis spent a quiet day, eating and moving around independently on his own,” Mr Bruni said in his Thursday update to the press.
“In the afternoon he wanted to show his paternal closeness to the little patients of the nearby Pediatric Oncology and Child Neurosurgery ward, sending them his affectionate greeting.”
Mr Bruni said the pope had a fever Wednesday night.
Thursday morning, the Holy Father “underwent routine microbiological tests and a chest-abdomen CT scan, which was negative”.
“The Holy Father continues the planned treatments and oral feeding,” he said.
“At this particular moment, he turns his gaze to those who suffer, expressing his closeness to the sick, especially to those most in need of care.”
This is the first time Pope Francis has been admitted to hospital since he became pope in 2013.
Pope Francis is 84 years old.
