He Pope Franciscowho underwent surgery on his lower abdomen in early June, said the Angelus prayer to thousands of worshipers in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday, thanking them for their displays of “affection” during his hospitalization.

The 86-year-old Argentine pope left the Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday after ten days in hospital.

“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who attended the Gemelli outpatient clinic on the days of my admissionthey have shown me affection, concern and friendship,” said the pope, who had been weakened for years by his health problems, especially at the level of the intestines and joints.

“This human and spiritual closeness has been a great help and comfort to me”he assured, to the applause of the crowd.

The Pope, who has spoken out on many occasions are concerned about the dramas related to migrationsreiterated its “great sadness and great pain” following the sinking this week in Greece of a fishing boat full of migrants that left at least 78 dead and many missing.

“It seems that the sea was calm. I renew my prayer for those who lost their lives and beg that everything possible is done to prevent similar tragedies,” he said.

Francis also had words for Friday night’s attack by a rebel group of jihadist links against a high school in Uganda.killing at least 41, most of them students.

“I pray for the young students who fell victim to the brutal attack on a school in western Uganda,” a Christian-majority country declared after the Angelus prayer.

“This fight, this war everywhere. Let’s pray for peace.” added.

The pope, who increasingly moves in a wheelchair or with a cane, appeared in good shape at the window of his apartments in the Apostolic Palace. While he has resumed his schedule, some of his acts have been canceled, such as his next weekly hearing on Wednesday.