Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pope Francis is doing well after spending a night in hospital following scheduled intestinal surgery, the Vatican has said.
The 84-year-old head of the Catholic Church underwent the operation on Sunday evening in Rome and is currently convalescing in the special 10th floor papal suite of the Gemelli Polyclinic.
The Vatican has not released many details about the particular surgery, other than that it was on the lower part of the pontiff’s colon and was prompted by the pope developing a diverticular stenosis.
This is when bulges or sacs form in the wall of the large intestine, causing it to narrow. It is not considered a particularly serious condition for most people.
An Italian Cardinal in Rome, Enrico Feroci, told reporters on Monday he had heard Pope Francis was recovering well from the surgery, which involved him going under general anaesthetic.
“Our prayer and our closeness are very great," he said at Rome’s airport while catching a flight.
Later, in an official statement, the Vatican confirmed the pontiff was in a “good general condition”.
“His Holiness Pope Francis is in good general condition, alert and breathing spontaneously.
“The surgery for diverticular stenosis carried out in the evening of 4 July involved a left hemicolectomy and lasted around three hours.
“He is expected to remain in hospital for approximately seven days, barring any complications.”
Although the Vatican said on Sunday the surgery was planned, it was only announced after the pope had already checked into the hospital and Francis made no mention of it during his normal Sunday appearance in St Peter’s Square.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments