Pope Francis admitted to Rome hospital for intestinal surgery

Pope Francis was admitted to a Rome hospital on Sunday to undergo a “scheduled surgery” for a stenosis, or restriction, of the large intestine, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

The 84-year-old pontiff was suffering from “symptomatic diverticular stenosis” of the colon, a condition that can cause recurrent abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits, Bruni said. It was not immediately clear when the surgery in Rome’s Gemelli Polyclinic would take place, but Bruni said another statement would be issued after the operation.It is the first time Francis has been admitted to a hospital since his election in 2013, according to Reuters.