Pope Francis, 86, will be hospitalized for “several days” after undergoing an emergency operation to repair a hernia in his abdomen on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Holy See.
The surgery will be performed under general anaesthesia and will require an incision in the abdominal cavity.
According to reports from a surgery in 2021 for a gastrointestinal problem, he could not tolerate general anaesthesia well.
In the last few days, Francis’ medical team determined that the operation was necessary.
By midday (1000 GMT), he had already arrived at the hospital.
According to the Vatican statement, Francis had been suffering from persistent pain.
On Tuesday, the pope spent several hours at Gemelli Hospital for what the Vatican described as a routine check-up.
His procedure, known as laparocele in medical terminology, will be performed there.
In 2021, the pontiff, who is from Argentina, was operated on under general anaesthetic for a bowel condition called diverticulitis.
Part of his colon was removed and he spent 10 days in hospital.
