Pope ‘walks a few steps’ as he continues recovery from abdominal surgery

The pope is recovering in hospital (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Pope Francis skipped his weekly public blessing as he convalesces from abdominal surgery in a Rome hospital but walked a few steps, followed Mass on TV and did some work, the Vatican said.

Francis also ate lunch in his 10th-floor Gemelli hospital apartment with doctors, nurses, other medical staff and members of his security detail, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a written statement.