Vatican Says Pope Francis to Stay in Hospital 'Few More Days' 

A Vatican spokesman said on Monday that Pope Francis will remain in Rome's Agostino Gemelli Hospital for a few more days as he recovers from intestinal surgery performed more than a week ago.

Francis underwent three hours of planned surgery on July 4 to treat “severe diverticular stenosis with signs of sclerosing diverticulitis,” or a hardening of the sacs that can sometimes form in the lining of the large intestine. A portion of his colon was removed. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that while the pope has completed the course of his post-surgical treatment, he will remain in the hospital to “best optimize the medical and rehabilitation therapy" available there. In a statement, Bruni said Francis met Sunday with patients of the nearby oncology ward, as well as members of their families. Later, they accompanied the pope on the 10th-floor terrace where he delivered his Sunday blessing, recitation of the Angelus prayer.  Afterward, the pope greeted patients on the floor, talking briefly with the medical and nursing staff.