Last Sunday afternoon we learned through the media that the Pope had been admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome to undergo a surgical intervention "...".programmed"for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon.
The news came as a surprise to all, since, at noon, the Holy Father had prayed the Angelus in good physical appearance and without alluding to his immediate admission to the hospital, except for the traditional "do not forget to pray for me". We were reassured to learn, from the official communiqué of the Vatican press room, that the surgery was "programmed"In other words, the cause of the intervention had been detected in time and, therefore, it was not a surprise or an immediate emergency. This surgical intervention "programmed"This is also reinforced by the fact that the Holy Father is planning a pastoral visit to Slovakia and Hungary from September 12 to 15. Moreover, according to doctors, "diverticular stenosis" is common from the age of 50-60 years and the surgical operation consists in the removal of the affected portion of the colon, without giving it too much importance.
The statement from the director of the Holy See press room yesterday, July 5, 2021, informed us that the Holy Father was in good general condition, conscious and breathing naturally. The surgical intervention had lasted three hours and a hospitalization of about seven days is expected, barring complications.
The Pope is the principle and visible foundation of the unity of faith and communion of the whole Church, both of the pastors and of all the faithful. The mission entrusted by the Lord to Peter (Mt 16:18) continues in the bishops of Rome, where Peter was martyred, who succeed one another throughout history. Peter's successor is the Vicar of Christ and the visible head of the whole Church. The Lord prayed in particular for Peter at the Last Supper so that his faith would never fail (Lk 22:31). It is the duty of the whole Church to unite ourselves to this prayer of Jesus in order to pray for him always and to preserve and increase our union of faith and communion with him, especially in these moments of special difficulty for his health.
