Surgery is required to address the “recurring, painful, and worsening” symptoms of an abdominal hernia.

Pope Francis will undergo intestinal surgery on Wednesday and need several days to recover, according to the Vatican. Overall, he ought to get better.

The Pope, 86, was admitted to A. Gemelli University Hospital on Tuesday after passing routine medical examinations in Rome to treat “recurring, painful, and worsening” symptoms brought on by an abdominal hernia, according to the Vatican. For the surgery, the Pope will receive general anesthesia.

In order to undergo a laparotomy and plastic surgery of the abdomen wall using a prosthesis under general anesthesia in the early afternoon, the Holy Father left the General Audience and traveled to the A. Gemelli University Hospital, according to a Vatican statement.

Pope Francis apparently displayed a fantastic sense of humor at his annual Wednesday morning general audience in St. Peter’s Square, according to The New York Times.

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

According to the Vatican at the time, the Pope was treated for bronchitis and brought to the hospital in late March. The pontiff received intravenous antibiotics after being admitted to the Gemelli Polyclinic hospital, according to the Associated Press.

Francis jokedly said, “Still alive, you know,” when asked how he felt as he left the hospital, according to the website. Francis responded positively when questioned about his feelings.

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

According to the spokeswoman, the test results (apart from the COVID-19 infection) indicated a respiratory infection that would need a few days of adequate hospital medical care. The pope has been affected by the many letters he has received and is appreciative of everyone’s prayers and support.

The publications state that the pope delivered a speech during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square before to being admitted to the hospital for that infection. Later, the Vatican claimed that he had been admitted for “previously scheduled tests.”