Pope Francis has “reacted well” after undergoing surgery on Sunday for diverticulitis of the colon, according to the Vatican, the pope went into surgery earlier in the day after the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer.
Pope Francis is operated on for colon diverticulitis
“The Holy Father has reacted well to the surgery performed under general anesthesia,” spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a written statement.
The 84-year-old pontiff went into surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital earlier in the day, hours after performing the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
According to a statement from the Holy See’s communications office, it was “a scheduled surgical intervention for symptomatic stenotic stenotic diverticulitis.”
Diverticulitis is an inflammation caused when people develop small pouches in the walls of the colon. The sacs or pouches are called diverticula. It usually has no symptoms, but can cause discomfort and sometimes bleeding.
It is a common condition that affects more than half of adults in the United States, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and becomes more common as people age.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella wished Pope Francis a speedy recovery in a message shared on the presidency’s website Sunday.
“Speaking on behalf of all Italians and on my own behalf, we wish to send Your Holiness our warmest greetings and wishes for a good convalescence and a speedy recovery,” the message sent to Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis has “reacted well” after undergoing surgery on Sunday for diverticulitis of the colon, according to the Vatican, the pope went into surgery earlier in the day after the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer.
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