The news about his operation caused a sensation – now supporters of Pope Francis can breathe a sigh of relief: The 84-year-old is doing well after the operation, which was performed under general anesthesia.
Rome – Pope Francis has been operated successfully for an intestinal ailment. The doctors had carried out the planned operation, said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni. “The Holy Father responded well to the procedure, which was performed under general anesthesia,” it said. How long he will stay at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome has not been announced.
According to the Vatican, Francis has an intestinal disease. This causes protuberances to form in the intestinal wall, which can become inflamed. Doctors speak of diverticulitis in this case. It can sometimes cause pain or fever for the patient. It is a disease that is common in the elderly. Pope Francis is 84 years old.
Previously, the Argentine had said the traditional Angelus prayer to the believers in St. Peter’s Square as usual from the window of his study. Then he announced his trip to the Hungarian capital Budapest and several cities in Slovakia for September 12th to 15th.
News of his operation quickly caused a stir in Catholic Italy. President Sergio Mattarella wished him a speedy recovery from afar. The heartfelt thoughts of all people in Italy are with Pope Francis in these hours, said Mattarella from Paris, where he was staying for a state visit. Numerous politicians and parties also wished the Pope a speedy recovery.
The hospital where the pontiff is operated is part of the medical and surgical faculty of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome. As the media portal “Vatican News” reported, popes have been dealt with there repeatedly in the past. dpa
