SANTIAGO, Chile - The special envoy sent by Pope Francis to Chile to investigate allegations that a bishop had covered up sex abuse has been released from a hospital after undergoing gallbladder surgery.

Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna entered the hospital Tuesday after he began feeling abdominal pain. He had started his interviews with victims and others opposed to the pope's appointment and support of Bishop Juan Barros. Barros is accused of covering up for Chile's most notorious pedophile priest.

Scicluna spoke to reporters Friday after his release. He thanked the hospital staff and Spanish priest Jordi Bertomeu, who has been handling interviews in his absence.

The Chilean Catholic bishop's conference says that Scicluna will extend his visit until Wednesday and that he will continue conducting the interviews with Bertomeu.