Pope Francis urges people to ‘take a break’ in first speech since hospital stay

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis made his first public appearance since returning to the Vatican mid-week after an 11-day hospital stay, telling wellwishers they should take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life.

“Let us put a halt to the frantic running around dictated by our agendas. Let us learn how to take a break, to turn off the mobile phone,” Pope Francis said in his weekly address from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The 84-year-old pope had part of his colon removed in an operation on July 4 — the first time that Francis has faced a significant health concern during his eight-year papacy.