Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s A. Gemelli University Hospital on Wednesday, where he will undergo bowel surgery. Photo by Ettore Ferrari/EPA-EFE
June 7 (UPI) — Pope Francis was hospitalized Wednesday to undergo intestinal surgery to repair a painful hernia.
The Vatican said the 86-year-old pope will undergo a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery under general anesthesia on Wednesday afternoon at Rome’s A. Gemelli University Hospital.
“The operation, which was decided over the last few days by the medical team assisting the Holy Father, was necessary due to an incision in the laparocele (hernia) that causes recurrent, painful and worsening subocclusal syndrome,” the statement said.
The announcement came a day after the Pope made an unannounced visit to the hospital.
Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See’s press office, had told reporters Tuesday that the visit was for clinical research.
After the operation on Wednesday, the pontiff is expected to remain in the hospital for several days.
in 2021 July. The head of Argentina’s Catholic Church underwent colon surgery.
In late March, Pope Francis was hospitalized for three days with bronchitis.
