Franklin Graham announced this morning on Facebook that he had successful heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on Monday.
Graham is the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and president of Samaritan’s Purse. He is also the fourth of five children to the late Billy and Ruth Graham.
Graham underwent the surgery after doctors discovered Graham’s heart had developed “constrictive pericarditis,” an inflammation and hardening of the sac around the heart. This hardened sac compresses on the heart and prevents it from working accurately. The surgery was to remove the pericardium.
“The team here at Mayo Clinic does such an incredible job — I couldn’t speak more highly of them,” Graham wrote. “My doctors said I should expect a full recovery and will be able to return to my normal ministry schedule. I look forward to many opportunities around the world in 2022 to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invite people to put their faith and trust in Him. I’m also looking forward to being able to ride my motorcycle by the time warm weather hits! I appreciate everyone’s prayers.”
Graham’s daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, tweeted about how proud she is of her father, saying, “It’s no secret how proud I am of dad, @Franklin_Graham — and today is no different, as he begins a long road of healing. I’m beyond thankful for the prayers for my dad’s full recovery today and in the coming days and weeks as he regains his strength.”