Pope Francis Undergoes Surgery For 'Colon Diverticulitis' Following Sunday Prayer Mass

Pope Francis

Pope Francis has undergone surgery hours after attending the traditional Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sunday July 4, the Vatican has announced.

According to Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the pope had surgery for "colon diverticulitis,"

Diverticulitis is an inflammation caused when people develop small sacs in the walls of the colon. The sacs or pouches are called diverticuli. It's usually symptomless, but can cause discomfort and, sometimes, bleeding.

The Holy See press office said in a statement: "This afternoon his Holiness Pope Francis went to the Gemelli hospital -- Rome -- for a scheduled surgical intervention for a symptomatic stenotic diverticulitis. Surgery will be carried out by professor Sergio Alfieri. At the end of the surgery a medical bulletin will be issued."