Pope Francis, 84, was to undergo surgery Sunday in Rome for an inflammation of the large colon, a Vatican statement said.

The pontiff was admitted to the Gemelli University Hospital "for a scheduled surgery for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon," it said.

At issue was a potentially painful inflammation of a diverticulum, a pocket that can form on the colon walls and which tend to multiply with age.

A potential complication is an abnormal narrowing of the colon.

A health bulletin was to be issued once the operation had been completed.

Born on December 17, 1936 in Argentina, Francis lost part of his right lung at the age of 21. He also suffers from a hip problem and sciatica.