Pope Francis leaves hospital 'in better shape than before'

YEREVAN, JUNE 16, ARMENPRESS. Pope Francis was discharged from hospital on Friday morning, nine days after surgery to repair an abdominal hernia, Reuters reports.

His doctor said the Pope was stronger than before.

"The pope is well. He is in better shape than before," Sergio Alfieri, who operated on Francis on June 7, told reporters.

Alfieri said the pope was well enough to travel. Francis travels to Portugal at the start of August and Mongolia at the end of that month.

"He will be able (to carry out his duties) better than before because he no longer will have the discomfort. He will be a stronger pope," Alfieri said.