Sao PauloSP)
Pope Francis, 86, will undergo emergency surgery under general anesthesia at Rome’s A. Gemelli Hospital this Wednesday (7) due to the risk of intestinal obstruction, the Vatican said.
According to the Vatican, the operation to be performed is a laparotomy and plastic surgery of the abdominal wall with a prosthesis.
The announcement comes a day after the pope went to a hospital in Rome to undergo tests, where he stayed for about 40 minutes. Two months ago, Francisco was hospitalized with bronchitis.
According to the Vatican, the operation was already included in the medical team’s plans and proved to be “necessary” due to the worsening of symptoms outlined by the Pope. Francisco has to stay in the hospital for several days “to allow the normal course of the postoperative period and the full recovery of his functionality”.
Earlier in the morning, the pope took part in the weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
Pope Francis, who completed his tenyear pontificate in March, has a history of illness in recent years and suffers from persistent knee pain, often using a wheelchair or walking stick in his public appearances.
In addition, the pontiff is more prone to respiratory diseases, having had part of his lungs removed around the age of 20.