Pope Francis responds well to operation, on road to recovery

The intestinal operation was performed last night. A seven-day stay is expected, which will not lead to any changes in the pontiff's schedule: as of this week the Wednesday general audience had been suspended for the usual summer break.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis "responded well" to the surgery he underwent at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, the Holy See's Press Office announced in a statement released last night. Admitted in the afternoon, the Pontiff was operated on in the evening under general anaesthesia for a diverticular stenosis of the sigma, the final part of the colon: an operation that does not involve any particular complexity. The surgical team - led by-  Prof. Sergio Alfieri - included the Pope's personal physician, Prof. Roberto Bernabei.

Policlinico Gemelli clinic reports that the post-operative  recovery is normal and should last seven days. The operation took place during the week in which the Wednesday general audiences were suspended, as happens every year throughout July. On Sunday, however, the Pope should address the faithful as usual for the Angelus prayer.

The room on the tenth floor where he is being treated overlooks the hospital's main entrance. In addition to the staff of the Policlinico Gemelli, there are also two Vatican nurses to assist Francis. The room is the same as John Paul II's: it also includes a small living room, where an altar has been set up for the celebration of mass.

• Vatican
• Pope Francis
• Policlinico Gemelli
• health
• Bergoglio