The surgery is required to treat the “recurring, painful, and worsening” symptoms brought on by the abdominal hernia.
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis will undergo intestinal surgery on Wednesday and need several days to recover. He is anticipated to fully recover.
The Pope, 86, was admitted to A. Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday after completing standard medical examinations in Rome to treat “recurring, painful, and worsening” symptoms brought on by an abdominal hernia, according to the Vatican. For the procedure, the Pope will receive general anesthesia.
The Holy Father left the General Audience and headed to the A. Gemelli University Hospital where, according to a Vatican statement, he will have a laparotomy and plastic surgery of the abdominal wall using prosthesis under general anesthesia in the early afternoon.
The New York Times reported that Pope Francis was in excellent humor during his typical Wednesday morning general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis on June 7, just before going to the hospital.
According to the Vatican, “the stay at the medical facility will last several days to allow for the normal postoperative course and full functional recovery.”
The Vatican stated at the time that the Pope was also hospitalized in late March after seeking treatment for bronchitis. According to the Associated Press, the pontiff was hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic and received antibiotics intravenously.
Francis joked, “Still alive, you know,” when asked how he felt as he was leaving the hospital, according to the site. Francis offered a thumbs up when asked how he felt.
In a statement, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that Pope Francis had lately “complained of some respiratory difficulties” before visiting Policlinico A. Gemelli for “medical checks,” as reported by CNN. Pope Francis later spent time in the hospital for bronchitis.
The spokesman stated that the results of the test indicated a respiratory infection (excluding COVID-19 infection) that would need a few days of proper hospital medical therapy. Pope Francis is moved by the numerous letters he has received and thanks everyone for their prayers and closeness.
According to the publications, the pontiff delivered a speech during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square before being admitted to the hospital for that infection. Then, he was brought to the hospital for what the Vatican described as “previously scheduled tests.”
