Pope Francis in ‘good condition’ after surgery

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis on Sunday was admitted to a hospital in Rome for a “scheduled” colon procedure, the Vatican said in a statement.

It is the first time Francis is hospitalized since his election in 2013.

What do we know so far?

Francis was admitted to Gemelli Polyclinic “for a scheduled surgery for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon.” The intestinal disease can cause pain or fever in the elderly.

Hours later, the pope’s spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Vatican chief “responded well” to the procedure, which was done under general anesthesia.

On Monday, Bruni said Francis was “in good condition, alert and breathing on his own.’’

Bruni added that Francis is expected to stay in Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic, a Catholic hospital, for seven days “barring complications.’’

The Vatican had said earlier the scheduled surgery was not prompted by an emergency.

Francis possibly hinted at the surgery during a public appearance last Sunday.

“I ask you to pray for the pope, pray in a special way,” Francis told fellow Catholics at St. Peter’s Square on June 27. “The pope needs your prayers.”

Francis is in fairly good health for his age, although he does have a problem with his hip. He also suffers from sciatica — pain along the sciatic nerve in the back and leg.

Francis had a part of his lung removed in his youth due to an infection. The pope is still fit to travel, and is expected to visit Hungary and Slovakia in September.