The Pope is expected to remain in the hospital for several days to recover.
Jun 8, 2023 3:08 am ET
• 4 min reading
ROME and LONDON — Pope Francis’ night went “well” after he underwent bowel surgery on Wednesday, Vatican officials said Thursday morning.
The press office of the Holy See had informed local time on Wednesday evening that the operation had been completed and that “it went without complications and lasted three hours”. The Pope is expected to spend several days in hospital recovering.
After his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, the Pope went to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and underwent “a laparotomy and abdominal plastic surgery with prosthesis under general anesthesia,” Matteo Bruni, head of the Holy See’s press office, said in a statement in Italian.
A car carrying Pope Francis arrives at Gemelli Hospital, where he is undergoing abdominal surgery, June 7, 2023 in Rome, Italy. Guglielmo Mangiapane/Portal
The Vatican said the operation had been ordered within the last few days. It is expected that he will remain in the hospital for several days to make a full recovery.
The 86-year-old Pope spent three days in hospital in March after complaining of trouble breathing.
Pope Francis pays tribute to the relic of Saint Therese of Lisieux during the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican June 7, 2023.Yara Nardi/Portal
The pope’s hospitalization in March went well “with normal medical progress” as he recovered from bronchitis, Vatican officials said at the time.
A Carabinieri vehicle is parked in front of the Gemelli hospital, where Pope Francis will undergo medical examinations, in Rome, Italy June 7, 2023. Guglielmo Mangiapane/Portal
Francis also underwent bowel surgery for diverticular stenosis two years ago. This three-hour operation involved a hemicolectomy, which is the removal of part of the colon.
Francis often uses a wheelchair or walker at public events, including when he officiated the funeral of his predecessor emeritus, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in January.
Vatican officials said Thursday they planned to release additional information on Wednesday’s proceedings.