Pope Francis is expected to have surgery on his abdomen on Wednesday afternoon at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.
According to the Vatican, Pope will need to spend “a few days” in the hospital recovering from the hernia operation.
Added Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, the hernia is “causing recurrent, painful, and worsening” symptoms.
The 86-year-old has recently struggled with a number of health concerns and utilizes a wheelchair and a cane to go around. He also has a chronic knee condition.
The pontiff’s medical staff recently determined that surgery was necessary, the Vatican announced in a statement.
“In the early afternoon he will undergo a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery… under general anaesthesia,” said Mr Bruni.
He added: “The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Pope Francis conducted his weekly audience as usual without mentioning his upcoming procedure.
Months after being admitted to the hospital with bronchitis, the Pope was there the day before for a scheduled check-up at the same Rome hospital.
In March, the month he celebrated the tenth anniversary of his pontificate, he spent three days in the hospital being treated for a lung infection.
In an effort to treat a bothersome intestinal disease, Pope Francis underwent colon surgery in 2021 and spent 10 days in the hospital. The complaint has reappeared, he just disclosed.