Pope Francis Undergoes Surgery for Painful Hernia; Expected to Make Full Recovery

Pope Francis was admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital for abdominal surgery to repair an intestinal hernia causing severe, recurrent pain.
The laparotomy procedure inserted a prosthesis and required general anesthesia, which Francis had previously expressed concerns about due to a prior surgery.
Doctors will monitor for complications like stroke, heart issues, kidney failure and pneumonia during Francis' multi-day hospital stay.
The hernia was caused by scarring from a previous colon surgery in 2021 that removed 13 inches of Francis' colon.
Despite a demanding schedule and upcoming trips, the Vatican expects Francis, 86, to make a full recovery in six weeks, though risks of recurrence remain.