Pope Francis to Undergo Surgery

Pope Francis will have surgery on his abdomen on Wednesday afternoon at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said he was expected to stay in hospital for several days to recover from the hernia operation.

Bruni said the hernia is causing recurrent, painful, and worsening symptoms to the 86-year-old who has faced a series of health issues in recent years and uses a cane and a wheelchair due to a persistent knee ailment.

He added that the stay at the health facility will last several days to allow the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery.