Pope Francis

Francis' planned Saturday address would have been the first time a pope had addressed a U.N. climate conference, which is taking place in Dubai.

"The pope is well. He's better than before,'' said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the surgeon who performed the 86-year-old pontiff's operation on June 7.

The pope underwent "a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery under general anesthesia" on Wednesday, the Holy See's official news portal says. The pope had complained of abdominal pain on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian president held talks in Rome, where he received pledges of both open-ended military and financial support as well as stronger backing for Ukraine's aim to join the European Union.

Catholic women's groups that have long criticized the Vatican for treating women as second-class citizens immediately praised the move as historic in the 2,000-year life of the church.

Catch up on key developments and the latest in-depth coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Pope Francis, hospitalized recently with bronchitis, skipped the procession because of cold weather. It was the first time a pope was a no-show at the Colosseum Way of the Cross procession since 2005.

Pope Francis opened the celebration Mass in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday, presiding at his first ceremony after his hospital stay for bronchitis.

Pope Francis was discharged from the Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis, quipping to journalists before being driven away: "I'm still alive."