POPE SAYS HE'S `STILL ALIVE' AFTER COLON OPERATION

Pope Francis has joked that some people in the Church hoped he would not survive his recent colon operation, and denounced vociferous conservative critics for doing “the work of the devil” by undermining the Catholic Church.

Francis made the comments during a meeting with members of the Jesuits, a Catholic religious order, in Slovakia this month. They were reported on Tuesday by the Jesuit magazine La Civilta Cattolica.

Asked about his health by one of the Jesuits, Francis was quoted as replying: “Still alive. Although some people wanted me dead.”

Francis underwent colon surgery on July 4, and spent 11 days in hospital. He has since resumed a full schedule.