(CNN) — Pope Francis left Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Friday after recovering from surgery, the CNN team noted at the entrance to the establishment.

The 86-year-old pope remained in hospital as he recovered from abdominal surgery he underwent last Wednesday.

The pontiff had resumed his work from the hospital and was to be transferred to the Vatican after his discharge.

Hospital staff waited at the entrance to say goodbye to the pope, and people lined the sidewalk outside the entrance to try to see him.