WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft remained in intensive care at a local hospital on Saturday because of a painful illness that involves inflammation of the pancreas, the Justice Department said.

A department spokesman said Ashcroft's condition was unchanged, without specifying what it was, since he was admitted to George Washington University hospital on Thursday complaining of stomach pains and diagnosed with a severe case of gallstone-caused pancreatitis.

The illness, which usually begins with pain in the upper abdomen, can occur when a small gallstone moves far enough into the bile duct to block the flow of pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine, causing sharp abdominal pain. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach.

Ashcroft, 61, became the top U.S. legal officer in 2001 after a bitter confirmation battle following his appointment by President Bush.

Justice Department officials said on Friday Ashcroft was expected to be in the hospital for at least four or five days, and that he then could face surgery.