In brief
President Lula, 79, has been discharged from the hospital after emergency brain surgery, attributing his recovery to divine intervention and support from his followers.
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has returned home after a successful surgery to address a brain bleed, which he experienced following an accident in his bathroom last month. At a press conference, the 79-year-old expressed deep gratitude to God and his medical team while emphasizing the importance of love over hate. The president thanked everyone for their prayers as he stood alongside his doctors at São Paulo's Sírio-Libanês hospital.Lula had undergone a craniotomy, a procedure where part of the skull is temporarily removed to alleviate pressure caused by the intracranial hemorrhage. This condition can arise from head injuries, and Lula's bleed was traced back to an incident on October 19 when he fell while trimming his toenails at the Alvorada Palace. Although he received five stitches from that incident, doctors cautioned that complications might not surface immediately after trauma.In his remarks to the media, Lula disclosed feelings of clarity and optimism, stating that he was returning with renewed vigor to his presidential duties after the ordeal. Medical professionals confirmed that Lula was conscious and stable, presenting no significant after-effects from the surgery. They indicated that he might be back in Brasilia as early as next week, suggesting a smooth recovery ahead.In Lula's absence, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin managed various presidential responsibilities. Lula's return to full duties comes shortly after he narrowly won the presidency against Jair Bolsonaro, an election that captured the attention of the nation. Throughout his campaign, Lula animatedly highlighted his enduring vitality and resilience, remarking that he possessed "the energy of a 30-year-old." With this latest health hurdle behind him, Lula seems poised to forge ahead in his leadership role, driven by the support of his constituents.
