The Holy See’s press release didn’t give any details about the time the surgery would take place at Gemelli Polyclinic. It only stated that there would be an update on the status of the operation once it was complete. The Vatican later indicated that the surgery would take place on the same day.
This was the pope’s first hospital treatment since his election to the papacy.
According to the Vatican, the 84-year old pope was diagnosed with “symptomatic diversicular stenosis (colon)”, a condition that refers to a narrowing of the large intestine. Dr. Sergio Alfieri was the director of Gemelli’s digestive surgery department.
Francis had made the same Sunday appearance as usual to request special prayers from the public. This might have suggested that he was planning surgery.
Francis asked the faithful to pray for Pope Francis on June 27, asking them to do so in a “special way”. He said that the pope needed prayers and thanked them for their help.
A diverticulum can be described as a pouch-like protrusion in the muscular wall the intestine. According to gastroenterologists, diverticula can become inflamed, which is a common condition in older adults. This could lead to a narrowing or even complete removal of the entire intestine. This surgery can be done under general anesthesia or with laparoscopic intervention. Sometimes, a resection of the affected area of the intestine may be necessary.
Francis is generally in good health. However, he did lose a portion of his lung as a teenager. Sciatica is a condition in which nerves affect the lower back or leg. This has caused him to miss some of his scheduled appearances.
In case of emergency, a 10th-floor papal suite can be found at the hospital.
The Church law allows a prelate to assume the administration of Roman Catholic Church in the event of the death of a pope, but there is no provision for the delegation of powers for temporary incapacitated popes while they are under anesthesia.
Last week was a very demanding week for the pope. He had to attend Mass on Tuesday, the Catholic feast day that honors Saints Peter, Paul and, later, preside at a special prayer service in Lebanon. He also held a lengthy private audience at Vatican with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on June 28. Francis seemed to be in good spirits throughout all of these engagements.
Francis received many well wishes and get-well wishes immediately. As soon as Sergio Mattarella arrived in Paris to make a state visit, he offered an “affectionate thought” on behalf of all Italians. Mattarella said that he wished for a “good convalescence” and “a faster recovery” for Pope Francis.
Gemelli doctors have performed surgery on popes before, including Pope John Paul II who had a benign colon tumor removed by the Vatican in 1992. John Paul also had many other surgeries at the hospital after he was shot in St. Peter’s Square, 1981.
John Paul had many medical issues during his final years. He had severe Parkinson’s disease complications and spent numerous nights at Gemelli.
