ROME - Pope Francis is set to undergo abdominal surgery on Wednesday to address an intestinal blockage, just two years after undergoing a similar procedure. The Vatican announced that the 86-year-old pontiff will be placed under general anesthesia and admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days.
The surgery, described as a "laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis," aims to treat a recurrent and worsening constriction of the intestine, which has been causing the Pope considerable pain. The laparotomy procedure involves open abdominal surgery, enabling both diagnosis and treatment of the issue. The Vatican statement revealed that Francis is suffering from a blocked laparocele, a hernia that has developed over a previous scar.
According to the Vatican, the Pope's hospital stay is expected to span multiple days to facilitate a normal post-operative recovery and ensure full functional restoration. This surgery follows a ten-day hospitalization in July 2021, during which 33 centimeters (13 inches) of the Pope's large intestine were removed due to severe inflammation and narrowing.
Despite a positive outcome from the previous surgery, Francis recently disclosed to The Associated Press that the diverticulosis, which initially prompted the 2021 surgery, had resurfaced. His reaction to the general anesthesia during the previous procedure influenced his decision to forgo surgery for strained knee ligaments, resulting in his reliance on a wheelchair and walker for more than a year.
Given the Pope's demanding travel schedule this summer, his return to the hospital underscores the urgency of addressing the intestinal issue. Pope Francis, who had part of one lung removed in his youth and suffers from sciatica nerve pain, spent three days at Gemelli in late March for acute bronchitis treatment.
Although the initial visit on Tuesday for medical tests revealed no specific details, the Pope appeared in good spirits during his Wednesday morning audience in St. Peter's Square. He traveled around the square in his popemobile, engaging with the faithful. Prior to that, he had attended two meetings, according to the Vatican.
Despite his health challenges, Pope Francis maintains a busy schedule, often conducting multiple audiences each day. The Vatican recently confirmed his extensive travel plans for August, including a four-day visit to Portugal in the first week and a longer trip to Mongolia starting on August 31. The release of the detailed itinerary for the Portugal visit indicates that these trips are expected to proceed as scheduled, encompassing official state meetings, events with young people, and a pilgrimage to the Marian shrine at Fatima.