The Vatican has announced Sunday that Pope Francis would go under the surgical blade.
The Vatican added that the Pope had already gone to a Rome hospital for a scheduled operation to address a stenosis, or potential narrowing, of his large intestine.
A Holy See spokesman said the surgery would be performed Sunday, with more information following.
The Vatican said the operation — officially, for diverticular stenosis of the colon — will take place at Gemelli hospital, performed by Sergio Alfieri, a specialist in the colon, rectum and stomach. The Vatican did not provide a timetable for the pope’s recovery.