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.”

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.