Pope Francis is out of surgery for abdominal issue and expected to be in hospital for several days. He underwent a laparotomy to treat a ‘worsening’ constriction of his intestine.
He was taken to the Policlinico A. Gemelli hospital in Rome on Tuesday for what the Vatican said were routine medical checks. This is the second time in just over two months that Francis has been admitted to the Gemelli hospital. In late March, he was hospitalized for the treatment of bronchitis.
This is coming two years after he had a portion of his colon removed because of an inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine.
Francis, 86, underwent a three-hour procedure that “took place without complications.” The Vatican press office earlier said Francis would be hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for a period of several days.
“The surgery Pope Francis underwent was completed: it took place without complications and lasted three hours.”
The Pontiff had appeared in good form on Wednesday morning at his audience in St. Peter’s Square, zipping around the square in his pope mobile greeting the faithful. Francis was then driven in his Fiat 500 out of the Vatican shortly after 11 a.m. and arrived at Gemelli hospital about 20 minutes later, escorted by police.
