Pope Francis's weeklong hospital stay after a hernia surgery ended on Friday, with the Vatican announcing that the pope had returned home and would slowly resume his public appearances.

The 86-year-old pontiff underwent a successful hernia surgery on June 7 and has been staying at Gemelli Hospital in Rome since then as he recovers from the procedure.

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As he left the hospital in a wheelchair, the pope said to reporters who asked about his health, "I'm still alive."

The pope's surgeon, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, told reporters Friday, "The pope is well. He’s better than before."

Despite his return home, the pope will not immediately resume his normal schedule of activities. The pope's scheduled audience on June 21 has been canceled "to safeguard the post-surgical recovery of the Holy Father." However, Francis will be making his brief midday appearance on Sunday to lead the Angelus.

The pope is also scheduled to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva on Wednesday.

Despite his declining health, Francis is still maintaining a regular travel schedule. In early August, he will journey to Lisbon, Portugal, for the triennial celebration of World Youth Day, and he is scheduled to visit Mongolia from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.

The pontiff's health has visibly deteriorated in recent years. He is now the oldest-reigning pope since Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 at the age of 93.

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In late March, he was admitted to Gemelli Hospital following an audience in St. Peter's Square. The pope stayed at the hospital for four days due to a lung infection.

In 2021, Francis underwent surgery to remove a portion of his colon to treat inflammation of his intestine, a condition known as diverticulitis. He has also regularly used a wheelchair or a cane due to ligament damage in his knee.