The 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalised on July 4, undergoing a three-hour surgery to treat an intestinal ailment.

Vatican City (14/07/2021 17:00, Gaudium Press) The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed to journalists that Pope Francis has been discharged from Agostino Gemelli Hospital after ten days in hospital.

Pope prayed in the Basilica of St. Mary Major

At around 10.30am (local time) on Wednesday 14, the Holy Father left the Polyclinic and returned to Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. On the way, the Pontiff made a point of passing by the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

According to a press release from the Holy See Press Office, before the Marian image of the “Salus Populi Romani,” Francis gave thanks for the success of his surgery and addressed a prayer to Our Lady for all the sick, especially for those he met during the days of his hospitalization. Shortly before noon, he returned to Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis had part of his colon removed

On the afternoon of July 4, Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital where he underwent a three-hour surgery to treat a stricture of the colon caused by diverticulitis, an intestinal disease common among people over 60 years of age.

The 84-year-old Pontiff had part of his colon removed during the surgery. The procedure was performed under general anaesthesia by surgeon Sergio Alfieri with the assistance of eight other doctors. (EPC)