Pope Francis, 86, will undergo emergency surgery under general anesthesia in Rome on Wednesday afternoon due to a risk of intestinal obstruction, the Vatican said.
The surgery is “necessary” due to the worsening of symptoms described by the Pope, his medical team said, and will require hospitalization for “several days,” according to a statement from the director of the Holy See’s press service. Matteo Bruni.
The Argentine Pope led the general audience in St. Peter’s Square this Wednesday morning in front of thousands of believers.
“After the general audience, the Holy Father went to A. Gemelli University Hospital, where he will undergo a laparotomy and plastic surgery on the abdominal wall with a prosthesis in the early afternoon under general anesthesia,” Bruni explained. .
Laparotomy is a surgical procedure in which the abdominal cavity is opened.
“The operation, prepared in recent days by the Holy Father’s medical team, became necessary due to a hernia that causes recurrent, painful and worsening obstructive syndromes,” added Bruni.
On Tuesday morning, the Pope visited Gemelli Hospital and underwent “tests,” but the Vatican gave no details on the procedures.
In July 2021, Francisco spent almost ten days in the same hospital for colon surgery. He said he suffered “results” from the anesthetic.
At the end of March, the Argentine, who was elected Pope in 2013, was again admitted to the Gemeli hospital to be treated for a respiratory infection that required the use of antibiotics.
In an interview with Telemundo two weeks ago, Francisco explained that the “pneumonia” had been treated “in a timely manner” and that the situation could have been more serious if he had decided to wait a few more hours.
fragile health
Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where the Pope undergoes an operation (Photo: Andreas SOLARO / AFP) After Wednesday’s operation, the Pope must remain in the hospital on the 10th floor of the Gemelli Hospital, in the same room as Pope John Paul II. has had multiple surgeries in this medical center.
Jorge Bergoglio also suffers from chronic pain in his right knee, which forces him to use a wheelchair or a cane to get around.
The head of the Catholic Church canceled the May 26 agenda due to a fever, which did not require hospitalization. The next day he resumed his appointments.
Francisco’s health often sparks speculation about an eventual resignation. He has already stated several times that he like his predecessor Benedict XVI, who died on December 31. would consider resigning from office if health conditions compel him to do so, but recently said it was not in his plans.
Despite his fragile state of health, Francisco sticks to his travel plan. At the beginning of August he will travel to Lisbon for the World Youth Days. In the following month, the Pope will visit Mongolia and Marseille, a city in southern France.