Dalai Lama blesses Minneapolis girl after Mayo Clinic visit

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KMSP) - The Dalai Lama has been in the news recently for his trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and his Holiness was forced to cancel several public appearances while dealing with undisclosed health issues. But the Dalai Lama made his first public appearance Wednesday, meeting with Minnesota Tibetans at the Mayo Civic Center.

The Dalai Lama slowly walked out from his modest motorcade and immediately did what he's known for -- spreading joy. He called over a father and daughter to bless them.

"It's really special, he's like our president,” said Dorjee Damdul. “He touched our face and it was our luckiest day.”

No longer a patient at Mayo, the Dalai Lama blamed his recent hospital stay at least partially on his knee. His doctor reminded him that he's no longer 18 -- that he's 80 now.

Despite canceling several U.S. appearances, the people who saw and heard the Dalai Lama said he seemed himself.