The Vatican announced that Pope Francis is in good health on Monday after undergoing surgery for colon inflammation, but it is expected that his recovery will take seven days in the hospital. Pope Francis was admitted on Sunday to Gemelli University Hospital "for scheduled surgery" to address a narrowing of the colon, during which he underwent general anesthesia.
In a statement by the pope's spokesperson Matteo Bruni, it was noted that the pontiff is "generally in good health, alert, and breathing normally," adding that the surgery "took about three hours." He further mentioned that the pope is expected to spend seven days in the hospital "unless complications arise."
A week prior, on the eve of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, the pope hinted at the planned surgery by saying, "I ask you to pray for the pope, pray especially. The pope needs your prayers." Pope Francis had previously canceled his public audience sessions on Wednesdays for the summer season, and his official schedule does not include any activities until Sunday, when he will preside over the Angelus prayer.
On Monday, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi sent "warm wishes for a swift recovery" to Pope Francis, and Sheikh of Al-Azhar Ahmed el-Tayeb tweeted, "I wish my dear brother Francis a speedy recovery and a return to health so he may continue his contributions for humanity."
The pope will spend his recovery period on the tenth floor of the hospital in the same wing that was used by the late Pope John Paul II. The late pontiff underwent surgery seven times in that wing, including after an assassination attempt in 1981 and to remove a colon tumor in 1992.
The wing contains a bed, television, bathroom, small sitting room, sofa for sleeping, and a small altar, according to the Italian news agency ANSA. Security is provided by elements of the Italian police and the Vatican police. Pope John Paul II spent a long time there, leading him to refer to the wing as "Vatican 3," indicating that he spent most of his time there after Vatican City and the summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
The inflammation affecting Pope Francis can lead to pain caused by the formation of a pouch on the wall of the colon that tends to worsen with age. Complications from this condition can create an abnormal narrowing of the colon, and individuals suffering from it may experience lower abdominal pain, fever, and bleeding. Possible contributing factors include excessive pressure inside the colon or a low-fiber diet rich in red meat, according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.
The Vatican explained that during the surgery, Pope Francis underwent resection of the left side of the colon and the remaining portion was directly connected to the rectum. The pope arrived at the hospital around 3:00 PM (1:00 PM GMT) in his car, accompanied by his driver and a close aide, and Italian media reported that he was taken into the operating room just hours later.
Pope Francis was born on December 17, 1936, in Argentina and lost part of his right lung at the age of 21. He also suffers from a hip issue.
