Pope Francis in good shape after surgery

Pope Francisco in good shape but must remain hospitalized “at the least seven days”  in the Policlinico Gemelli hospital in Rome, the Vatican said Monday.

The 84-year-old pontiff, who reacted well to general anesthesia, “is in good general condition, alert and breathing spontaneously,” according to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, in his first medical bulletin of the day on the health of the pope.

“A hospital stay of about 7 days is expected, barring complications,” Bruni said.

Francisco underwent diverticular stenosis surgery Sunday afternoon that involved “a left hemicolectomy,” a three-hour surgical procedure, the papal spokesman said.

Francisco was admitted to the Gemelli hospital in the Italian capital, where he underwent a “planned surgery” for the pain in the colon, according to the Holy See on Sunday.

Surgery was decided to reduce the problems caused by diverticula, which are small hernias in the wall of the colon, a problem that frequently increases with age.

The pope arrived unexpectedly by car, without an escort, accompanied by his driver and a close collaborator.

The pope will remain admitted for at least seven days for his recovery in a room on the tenth floor of the Roman hospital, the same room where John Paul II was admitted on several occasions after the attack in 1981 and due to his numerous health problems.

The windows on the 10th floor were closed all night, according to the numerous photographers and videographers installed in front of the hospital.

Numerous Spanish and Latin American bishops dedicate thoughts as well as political and religious leaders, among them the Venezuelan Nicolás Maduro and the great imam of the Al-Azhar University, Sheikh Ahmed el Tayyeb.

The pontiff suspended the general audiences on Wednesdays for the entire month of July and has no official appointments on his agenda until next Sunday when he must appear at the window of the pontifical palace for the Angelus prayer.

Born in Argentina on December 17, 1936, Jorge Bergoglio had the upper lobe of his right lung removed when he was only 21 years old due to pleurisy. He also suffers from hip problems and sciatica.

On Sunday noon he celebrated the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer from the Vatican window for the faithful who were in St. Peter’s Square under a blazing sun.

He appeared to be in good physical shape and excitedly announced a state visit to Slovakia between September 12-15, his second overseas trip in 2021 after the one to Iraq in March.

In recent years, he has canceled some appearances, and, occasionally, it is noticeable that he walks with difficulty.