Pope Francis leaves Rome hospital 9 days after operation; surgeon says 'he's better than before'

Pope Francis has been discharged from the Rome hospital where he had abdominal surgery nine days earlier to repair a hernia and remove painful scarring. The 86-year-old Francis left in a wheelchair on Friday. He smiled and waved and said “thanks” to a crowd of well-wishers. He then stood up so he could get into the small Vatican car awaiting him. His surgeon told reporters that Francis “is better than before” the surgery.