The abdominal hernia’s “recurring, painful, and worsening” symptoms must be treated surgically.

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis will have intestinal surgery on Wednesday and require many days to recover. On the whole, he should recover.

To treat “recurring, painful, and worsening” symptoms brought on by an abdominal hernia, the Pope, 86, was admitted to A. Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday after passing normal medical exams in Rome, according to the Vatican. The Pope will be given general anesthesia for the procedure.

The Holy Father left the General Audience and went to the A. Gemelli University Hospital, where he will have a laparotomy and plastic surgery of the abdomen wall using prosthesis under general anesthesia in the early afternoon, according to a Vatican statement.

According to The New York Times, Pope Francis reportedly had a great sense of humor during his customary Wednesday morning general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

The Vatican claims that “the stay at the medical facility will last several days to allow for the normal postoperative course and full functional recovery.”

The Pope had treatment for bronchitis and was admitted to the hospital in late March, according to the Vatican at the time. According to the Associated Press, the pontiff was admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic hospital and given antibiotics intravenously.

When asked how he felt as he was leaving the hospital, Francis jokingly replied, “Still alive, you know,” according to the website. When asked how he felt, Francis gave a positive response.

According to a statement from the Vatican’s Matteo Bruni, Pope Francis recently “complained of some respiratory difficulties” before going to Policlinico A. Gemelli for “medical checks,” as reported by CNN. Later, Pope Francis was hospitalized for bronchitis.

The test findings, according to the spokesman (except the COVID-19 infection), showed a respiratory infection that would require a few days of appropriate hospital medical treatment. The numerous messages the pope has received have touched him, and he is grateful for everyone’s support and prayers.

Before being admitted to the hospital for that infection, the publications claim that the pope gave a speech during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican later stated that he was sent to the hospital for “previously scheduled tests.”