Beginning Experience offers series

Widowed, divorced, separated? Beginning Experience SW Minnesota, a peer ministry support group, is offering the “Coping With Life Alone” Series for 10 weeks beginning Monday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church on Church and A streets in Marshall.

This series is designed for those wishing to work through the grieving process following the loss of a loved one. Registration will be taken for the first two weeks. There is a fee of $75 to cover the cost of materials.

Pre-register or questions: contact MaryAnn S.: 507-828-2866, Tim L.: 507-530-6379 or Jean: 507-220-0668.

Pope short of breath, says he’s still feeling effects of anesthesia 2 weeks after surgery

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis said Thursday he was short of breath and still feeling the effects of anesthesia from abdominal surgery two weeks ago.

Francis made the comments to explain why he chose not to deliver a prepared speech to visiting charity workers for Eastern rite churches. Instead, the speech was handed out.

“I’m still under the effect of anesthesia,” Vatican News quoted Francis as saying. “My breathing isn’t good.”

The 86-year-old pontiff underwent three hours of surgery under general anesthesia June 7 to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall and remove intestinal scar tissue. He was discharged on June 16, with his surgeon saying he was “better than before.”

Francis has complained previously about feeling the effects of anesthesia long after surgical procedures, including after an operation in 2021 to remove 13 inches of his large intestine. He had cited that reaction in part in refusing surgery to repair strained ligaments in his knee.