The Vatican announced that Pope Francis, 86, will undergo emergency surgery under general anesthesia due to a risk of intestinal obstruction. The supreme pontiff’s medical team considers the intervention necessary due to the worsening symptoms he has been experiencing. The hospitalization is expected to last several days. After addressing the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Argentine pope was taken to the Gemelli hospital in Rome amid a police escort.
According to Matteo Bruni, press director of the Holy See, the surgery will consist of a laparotomy and a plastic repair of the abdominal wall with a prosthesis. The laparotomy involves opening the abdomen, and the surgery is necessary because of an incisional hernia that is causing recurrent and painful subocclusive syndromes. On Tuesday morning, the pope had already made a visit to the hospital to undergo tests, but no details were provided as to their nature.
This is not the first time Pope Francis has been hospitalized. In July 2021, he spent about ten days at Gemelli Hospital for colon surgery. He has also suffered chronic knee pain and has had to cancel engagements due to health problems in the past.
The pope’s health has been the subject of speculation about a possible resignation, but he has stated that he has no plans to do so at this time. Although he faces health problems, he is maintaining his travel schedule, including visits to Lisbon, Mongolia, and Marseille in the coming months.
Pope Francis is closely followed by a medical team both at the Vatican and during his travels. Throughout his life, he has faced a number of health problems, including pleurisy at age 21 that required partial ablation of a lung.