Pope Francis Had an operation on Sunday for inflammation of the colon. The pontiff responded well to intestinal surgery at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital, the Vatican said in the evening. Accordingly, it was a “planned” operation. Prior to this, the head of Catholics offered the Angelus prayer as usual in St. Peter’s Square.

In the afternoon, the pontiff, accompanied by his driver and a close associate, arrived at the clinic and was operated upon a short time later, as reported by Italian media. Pope is to spend the next five days in the clinic for observation.

According to the Vatican, Francis, 84, was suffering from stenosis due to diverticulitis. This is a narrowing of the intestine as a result of bulging of the intestinal wall, sometimes painful inflammation of the so-called diverticula.

Francis has had to cancel some public events in the past due to health problems. The Argentine-born Pope had a part of his lung removed at the age of 21 after pleurisy. He has also been suffering from sciatica and hip problems for some time now.

During an afternoon prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, Francis announced his visit to Hungary and Slovakia in September. In Budapest he will celebrate the closing ceremony of the Eucharistic Congress.