Pope to stay in hospital for seven days as details of surgery revealed

Vatican says Francis is alert and in good overall condition after operation to remove part of his colon

Pope Francis is alert, breathing without assistance and in a good overall condition after surgery to remove part of his colon, the Vatican has said.

The 84-year-old is expected to stay in hospital for seven days barring any complications, following his three-hour operation on Sunday night by a 10-person surgical team at Gemelli hospital in Rome, the Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said in a statement on Monday.