Pope discusses his health, his ditched peace prayer and LGBT+ Catholics

Pope Francis spoke to journalists during a press conference aboard his plane at the end of the 37th World Youth Day in Lisbon (Maurizio Brambatti/Pool Photo Via AP/PA)

Pope Francis said on Sunday his recovery from his latest abdominal surgery is going well and stressed that he ditched speeches during his five-day trip to Portugal and spoke off-the-cuff not because he was tired or feeling unwell, but to better communicate with young people.

Francis was asked about his health en route home from Lisbon, where he presided over World Youth Day festival.