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Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, will undergo abdominal surgery and spend a few days recovering in a hospital in Rome, the Vatican announced on Wednesday, June 7. This is the latest development in the pontiff's health situation.
The 86-year-old pope had to postpone many business commitments in late May after being hospitalized for a fever. He had previously been admitted for bronchitis in March, but the infection improved after taking antibiotics.
The laparotomy treatment, which is under general anesthesia, is designed to treat a hernia that is producing "recurrent, painful, and worsening" symptoms, according to the Vatican.
The surgery Francis underwent in 2021 to remove half of his colon, it has been reported, is likely connected to the intervention.
The pope is anticipated to make a "full functional recovery," according to Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman.
Francis had part of one lung removed following a severe case of pneumonia as a young man, in addition to his colon operation two years ago. More recently, in 2019, he had cataract surgery at the Clinic of Pius XI in Rome. Recently, he has also experienced chronic sciatica pain.
He has used a wheelchair or a walking stick for the past year due to knee problems.
If Francis is unable to function for any period of time, the Vatican may experience a constitutional crisis. The Catholic church does not have a "vice pope," or someone who can act as the pope's representative while he is not there.
Francis stated in a December interview with the Spanish newspaper ABC that immediately after his election in 2013, he had already drafted a letter of resignation in the wake of a persistent medical disability.
