Pope Francis in “good condition” following hospitalization for intestinal surgery: Vatican

Pope Francis' overall condition is good following a stay in hospital for intestinal surgery— he is alert, breathing without assistance and is expected to stay in hospital for seven days, the Vatican said on Monday.

The 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalized on Sunday for the first time since his election in 2013 in Rome's Agostino Gemelli hospital. When the Vatican announced that Francis had been admitted to hospital for a planned operation, it said he needed surgery because he had developed a narrowing of the sigmoid portion of the large intestine.

Vatican analyst Phil Pullella said on Monday that Francis' hospitalization was a surprise for the world.

"Just a few hours before the Vatican announced that the Pope had gone into the hospital, he said his Sunday blessing and his Sunday address right here to thousands of people in St. Peter's square,” Pullella said.

“I think that the Pope is very different than his predecessors and he cherishes his privacy,” he added.

The sprawling Catholic-run Gemelli hospital in the northern part of Rome traditionally treats popes, and a part of its 10th floor is permanently reserved for them.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8002721/pope-francis-hospital-surgery-vatican/

Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#GlobalNews