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Updated Jul 5, 2021 - World

Pope Francis "reacted well" to intestinal surgery, Vatican says

Oriana González
Pope Francis delivers his Sunday Angelus Blessing in St. Peter's Square at the end of Mass for the 500th anniversary of the Philippine Church on March 14, 2021 in Vatican City, Vatican.

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, Vatican, in March. Photo: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Pope Francis is "doing well" after undergoing scheduled intestinal surgery, the Vatican announced Sunday night.

Details: The Pope left the Casa Santa Marta, his official residence, for the surgery concerning the symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon at a Rome hospital on Sunday afternoon local time.

  • Holy See spokesperson Matteo Bruni said in the Vatican's statement that 84-year-old pontiff had "reacted well to the surgery done under general anesthesia."

The big picture: Francis greeted members of the public earlier in the day in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, to recite the Angelus.

  • A week ago, he had asked people in that same location to "pray for the pope, pray in a special way," AP reports.
  • At the time, he "might have been hinting at the planned surgery," AP notes.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect that the Pope has had the surgery.

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