Pope Francis in hospital for colon surgery

The Vatican Press Office reports it is a "planned operation".  Hospitalized on the tenth floor of the Gemelli Polyclinic, in the same hospital room as John Paul II.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis was hospitalized this afternoon at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome for colon surgery.  A note from the director of the Vatican Press Office Matteo Bruni reports that the pope "will undergo a scheduled surgery for a symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon. The surgery will be performed by Professor Sergio Alfieri", who at Gemelli is in charge of the department of abdomen surgery.

This morning the pontiff had looked out as every Sunday from the window of the Apostolic Palace for the Angelus prayer during which he had announced a new apostolic journey to Hungary and Slovakia scheduled from 11 to 15 September.

Pope Francis arrived at the Gemelli Polyclinic around 3 pm, where he was hospitalized in the room on the tenth floor where John Paul II also spent his hospital stays.  A medical bulletin on his condition after surgery is expected.

• Vatican
• Pope Francis
• health
• Gemelli Polyclinic
• John Paul II