Pope Francis has recently undergone intestinal surgery in Rome and is expected to remain in the hospital for several days to recover. The surgery, which lasted three hours, was successfully completed without any complications, according to Vatican officials.

Following his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he underwent a Laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis under general anesthesia. Matteo Bruni, the director of the press office for The Holy See, confirmed this information in an Italian statement.

The surgery was arranged in the past few days, and the 86-year-old pontiff is anticipated to have a full recovery during his hospital stay. In March, Pope Francis spent three days in the hospital due to difficulty breathing, but he made normal medical progress and recovered from bronchitis, as reported by Vatican officials.

This recent surgery follows a previous intestinal operation two years ago, during which part of the colon was removed due to diverticular stenosis. Pope Francis has occasionally used a wheelchair or walker during public events, including the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

The Pope’s health is of great concern to the Catholic community and people worldwide, as his presence and leadership hold significant importance.