TRENTON, New Jersey (OSV News) — Bishop David M. O’Connell of Trenton was moved from intensive care to the Cardiac Care Unit of Santo Spirito Hospital in Rome on January 7, where he continues his recovery from surgery after suffering a heart attack days earlier.

Bishop O’Connell, 68, has been hospitalized since January 4 after undergoing emergency cardiac surgery to open a blocked artery. The bishop had been in Rome a few days ahead of the arrival of some 20 priests of the Trenton Diocese for a planned pilgrimage.

In a brief communication January 7 with Trenton Monitor, the diocesan news outlet, Bishop O’Connell expressed gratitude for all the prayers and good wishes he is receiving. He said he is feeling better each day and looks forward to returning home as soon as possible.

The bishop added that although he misses being with the priests on pilgrimage, he is “very happy that they are enjoying their visit to Rome.”

Accompanied by four priests from the Trenton Diocese, the bishop arrived in Rome a few days ahead of the January 4-12 pilgrimage to prepare for the event. The four clergymen include Monsignor Thomas N. Gervasio, vicar general and moderator of the curia, and Monsignor Sam Sirianni, director of the Office of Worship.

“Every few years, I offer a pilgrimage for priests in our parishes to go with me to Rome, usually after the Christmas holidays when there is a break in the busyness of their schedules,” Bishop O’Connell told The Monitor before the pilgrimage.

“On this trip, I am especially eager to pray at the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis whom I designated as patron of young people in our diocese, especially those in our Catholic schools and religious education programs,” he added.

The scheduled itinerary for the group included Mass with Pope Francis on Epiphany, Jan. 6, and a visit to Assisi, Italy, and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. The pilgrims also planned to be in St. Peter’s Square on January 10 for Pope Francis’ general audience.

A native of Philadelphia and a priest of the Eastern province of the Congregation of the Mission, also known as the Vincentian order, Bishop O’Connell is the 10th bishop of Trenton. He was president of The Catholic University of America in Washington from 1998 until the end of the 2009-2010 school year. On June 4, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed then-Father O’Connell as coadjutor bishop of Trenton and he was ordained to the episcopacy by Bishop John M. Smith in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton on July 30, 2010.

When Pope Benedict accepted the resignation of Bishop Smith on December 1, 2010, Bishop O’Connell automatically succeeded him as the 10th Bishop of Trenton.