WelCom August 2021
Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on 14 July 2021, after spending 11 days in a Rome hospital, to recover from colon surgery. On his way home, the Pope stopped to pray at the Basilica of St Mary Major. Pope Francis was hospitalised for an operation to relieve severe stricture of the colon caused by diverticulitis. The three-hour surgery included a left hemicolectomy, the removal of one side of the colon. While in hospital, he spent time reading, doing some work, walking in the corridors, and celebrating Mass in a private chapel. He also made a visit to the Department of Paediatric Oncology on the 10th floor of the hospital.