By thanking everyone for their love, concern, and fervent support during his stay at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis began his Sunday Angelus message. The weekly gathering of believers and tourists in St. Peter's Square was unable to take place last Sunday as the Holy Father was still in recovery post the abdominal surgery that took place at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on June 7.

However, his quick recovery allowed for his release from the hospital on Friday morning, and on Sunday at noon, he made an appearance at the Apostolic Palace window to pray the Angelus and greet the congregation.

Drawing his message from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 10:7), in which Jesus sends the Apostles to tell the world that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, he remarked that the fact that His lordship of love has come near and is in our midst is the fundamental reality of existence.

The Pope reassured the faithful that even when we walk through rough, rocky routes, even when we stumble and fight to get back up and continue, the Lord is close. He explained that God is a father who knows his children and loves them.

The Pope urged believers to continue with the mental image of a devoted parent holding their kid and to go forth and declare God's presence in an effort to make the world that appears vast and unsettling feel safe and familiar.

According to the Holy Father, if we want to be good apostles, we must act like children and let the Father change our hearts and give us the joy and peace that we are unable to experience for ourselves.

The Pope went on to explain that doing numerous acts of love and hope in the name of the Lord is a more effective way to proclaim that God is close by than simply talking a lot of words.

In his closing remarks, Pope Francis urged the faithful to examine their own faith and level of trust in God, as well as their knowledge of how to inspire others and care for the suffering and the lonely. He also urged them to reflect on whether they regularly read the Bible and participate in the sacraments.